OCBC Reshuffles Wholesale Banking Leadership

Helen Wong: «I am Cautiously Maintaining a Stable View»

Singapore's second-largest bank, OCBC, announced key leadership changes in its global wholesale banking franchise.

The changes are aimed at reinforcing OCBC’s position in two key businesses — commercial banking and global financial institutions – and driving the next stage of growth, the bank explained in a media release sent on Tuesday.

Elaine Heng, presently group chief strategy and transformation officer, will succeed Linus Goh as head of global commercial banking, effective October 1. Goh will retire on September 30.

Tan Yuen Siang (Image: OCBC)

Tan Yuen Siang who currently heads the global financial institutions business and reports to Goh, will join the global wholesale banking leadership team. Heng and Tan will report to Tan Teck Long, head of global wholesale banking.

Pivotal Members

In her new role, Heng will work closely with the commercial banking leadership team to accelerate the bank’s digital and sustainability-led growth agenda in supporting its clients in the region.

Heng joined OCBC in April 2024 and was appointed group chief strategy and transformation officer in November 2024.

Tan Yuen Siang joined OCBC in 2005 and led the global financial institutions business since 2021.

Business Growth Milestones

OCBC hired Goh in April 2004 and assumed leadership of the commercial banking and global financial institutions businesses in 2008.

Under his leadership, the bank sharpened its focus across digitalization, ecosystems, sustainable finance and internationalization, enabling startups, SMEs and mid-sized corporates. The global financial institutions business also achieved nearly 40 percent operating profit growth from 2022 to 2024, driven by the expansion of the global funds and Greater China financial institutions sectors.

«I would like to thank Linus for his invaluable contributions to the Bank. Over the past 20 years, he has been a key member of the management team, playing a crucial role in our expansion within our core markets,» commented OCBC group CEO Helen Wong.