Chua Hwee Chian

Head of Secured Investment Lending

• Spearheaded the Secured Investment Lending unit, driving the development and expansion of wealth lending solutions across Wealth Banking, Privilege Banking, and Privilege Banking Reserve segments
• Successfully introduced a diverse suite of financing solutions for high-net-worth (HNW) clients, managing Traditional / Indexed Universal Life Financing, Bonds Financing (including IPO Bonds), Share Margin Financing, Unit Trust Leverage Financing and Lombard Lending, while ensuring regulatory compliance and optimising operational efficiency for the Bank
• Managed the retail loan book, overseeing product management and portfolio profitability for the Bank
• Responsible for growing both the loan book and assets under management (AUM) under pledge
• Delivered net interest income, while maintaining a healthy net interest margin (NIM)
• Led cross-functional teams (including Group Credit, Retail Operations, Legal and Compliance, Wealth Management, Customer Advocacy, Sales Governance Control etc.) to design and launch new products
• Involved in developing end-to-end customer journeys, from product ideation to sales and advisory, ensuring that products met the needs of Bank’s HNW clients
• Established a comprehensive credit framework and product programs for approval by the Credit Committee, ensuring lending practices adhered to product / customer suitability with appropriate risk mitigants
• Managed portfolio risk monitoring, conducting periodic marked-to-market and implementing early alert triggers for margin calls and stop-loss accounts
• Worked closely with stakeholders to process customers’ loan applications, limit implementation and see to prompt trade fulfilment
• Focused on achieving ending net receivables (ENR) and revenue growth by maintaining discipline over pricing strategies to protect each product’s NIM and return on risk-weighted assets (RORWA)
• Standardised product programs and streamlined workflows, which boosted throughput volumes and allowed for the delivery of sophisticated Lombard Lending solutions to HNW clients, enabling them to diversify their investment portfolios
• Led the transformation of loan processing systems by introducing initiatives such as electronic workflow (EWF) for faster and more efficient transaction processing and central archival
• Launched a portfolio simulation tool in 2023 to help Sales conduct credit simulations and assess customers’ financing positions
• Developed an acquisition model using machine learning, to generate potential leads, hence improving customer acquisition by 6 times.
• Demonstrated strong crisis management skills by guiding both clients and sales teams through challenging market conditions, including the Asian Financial Crisis, Global Financial Crisis, Penny Stock Saga, and COVID-19
• Provided expertise in managing margin calls, loan restructuring, and helping customers navigate financial turbulence

Portfolio Risk Team Lead

Emerging Business Risk, Group Risk Division

• Joined OCBC's Emerging Business Risk Team during the setup of their SME lending program, playing a key role in the development and expansion of financing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Responsible for portfolio analysis efforts in providing data-driven insights to support sales and management reviews
• Managed portfolio risk, such as product program renewals, and net bad debt budget management
• Successfully rolled out the Smartlender Loan Origination System in 2005, completing the project within the stipulated timeline and budget
• Developed and implemented SME application and behavioral scorecards for integration into Smartlender, enhancing the bank’s ability to assess and process all SME product program loans
• Involved in all credit-related projects including early warning and alert monitoring system to flag out accounts

Business Financial Services, Consumer Banking Division

• Joined the new setup of Business Financial Services which has been formed to serve the small and medium sized enterprises
• Formulated new credit policies and process manuals to govern SME financing and developed product programmes to meet the unique needs of this segment
• Assessed and approved loan applications in accordance with established underwriting standards and product program guidelines
• Managed the credit risk of the SME portfolio through segmentation analysis and regular portfolio reviews, highlighting anomalies and trends for Management’s attention
• Developed credit MIS requirements and created a datamart to facilitate efficient data extraction, enabling periodic performance reviews and enhancing the Bank’s ability to manage risk
• Partnered with Oliver Wyman, a leading international consulting firm, to develop an SME credit scorecard, improving the accuracy and consistency of credit assessments for the SME segment

Enterprise Banking, Business Banking Division

• Took on an expanded role managing credit and marketing functions for Enterprise Banking, focusing on the integration of client portfolios and operational processes following the merger of Bank of Singapore Ltd with OCBC Bank
• Developed and implemented marketing strategies for enterprise banking products, driving client acquisition and retention across a broader customer base
• Conducted comprehensive creditworthiness evaluations for both new and existing clients, recommending appropriate credit limits based on detailed financial analysis
• Monitored and reviewed customers' credit lines, identifying risks and ensuring credit quality by addressing early warning signals and maintaining compliance with internal policies
• Worked with cross-functional teams to improve service delivery, streamline credit processes, and support business growth within the merged group structure

Retail Banking, Retail Banking Division

• Merged into OCBC Bank in 1998
• Handled both personal banking and corporate accounts
• Responsible for business development and promotion of Bank’s financing products
• Evaluating customers' creditworthiness and recommending appropriate credit limits
• Monitored and reviewed customers’ credit lines to maintain credit quality
• Identified loans with early warning triggers and restructured repayment plans for customers during the Asian Financial Crisis, and worked with Group Special Asset Management (GSAM) to help customers tide over
• Contributed to the smooth transition during the merger, helping integrate the Bank of Singapore’s retail portfolio into the OCBC Group while maintaining service continuity for clients