United Overseas Bank launched the UOB Finance Academy, a training and development program in Singapore focused on equipping all employees in the bank’s finance function with the soft and technical skills required to become future leaders in their field.

The UOB Finance Academy, which was designed in-house, builds on Better U, the bank’s group-wide learning and development program accredited by the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF), according to a media release sent on Monday.

Better U helps UOB employees build five core competencies which the bank has identified as essential for its people to remain relevant in the digital future. These competencies are having a growth mindset and complex problem-solving skills, as well as skills in the areas of digital innovation, human-centered design and data storytelling.

More Areas of Work

Once members of the bank’s finance team have completed Better U, they are then able to progress through the UOB Finance Academy’s structured three-month learning program which is designed to equip them with the skillsets and tools to help them advance in their careers.

«As with so many jobs, the role of a finance professional is changing as digital innovation impacts more areas of work. The UOB Finance Academy charts clear and achievable milestones for our people in UOB’s finance function to develop the necessary knowledge, mindset and skillsets to progress towards leadership roles in the finance industry,» Lee Wai Fai, Group Chief Financial Officer, UOB, said.

Specialized Skills

Participants will also sharpen their financial acumen through modules that encourage an analytical approach to evaluate strategies and risks, as well as accounting and bank financial analysis. Through the UOB Finance Academy, participants can also choose to develop specialized skills in areas such as asset and liability management and project management