DBS names new Singapore Consumer Banking Head from 1 Jan 2025
Calvin Ong will succeed banking veteran Jeremy Soo who is retiring at the end of this year
Ong, 42, is currently Head of Investment Products & Advisory in the bank’s Consumer Banking and Wealth Management Group (CBG/WM). A graduate of Oxford and Harvard universities, Ong joined DBS as a Management Associate in 2007.Since then, he has had several rotations across the bank, including Private Equity, Group Planning, Treasury & Markets and Corporate Treasury. In the eight years in Corporate Treasury, hewas a key member of the management team responsible for the transformation of DBS’ balance sheet management, capital and funding, and structured corporate transactions.He rose through the ranks to become Deputy Corporate Treasurer.
At CBG/WM, where he has been since 2021, he led the investment products and advisory business and significantly grew investment fee income across the wealth continuum, amid market volatility.
In his new role as Head of Consumer Banking Singapore, Ong will oversee DBS/POSB’s consumer banking and wealth management (Treasures) platforms to further enhance the way the bank meets customers’ banking, payment, investing and financial planning needs across all digital and physical touchpoints.
Shee Tse Koon, DBS Group Head of Consumer Banking and Wealth Management, said: “The management change reflects DBS’ deep bench strength and our commitment to grooming talent from within. Calvin’s exposure to different parts of the bank over the years has enabled him to develop the depth and breadth of knowledge to propel the Singapore consumer banking business to greater heights. I would also like to thank Jeremy for his committed leadership and invaluable contributions in fortifying our Singapore franchise by putting customers at the heart of everything we do.”
A banking veteran, Soo joined DBS in 2003. As the Head of Singapore Consumer Banking, a role he has held for the last 17 years,he played an instrumental role in operationalising the digital transformation of the franchise. This included the successful implementation of the bank’s new way of working, dubbed Managing Through Journeys (MtJs), enabling the consumer banking franchise to become a more agile and data-driven organisation.
During his tenure, Soo also spearheaded many first-in-industry innovations, which included the launch of the bank’s mobile wallet DBS PayLah!, and partnerships that have driven the adoption of digital payments in hawker centres, wet markets and heartland shops. He is also a strong advocate for inclusive banking, providing subsidised banking services to the low-income and migrant workers in Singapore.
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About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.