Bank of Singapore Strengthens Dubai Operations with New Leadership Appointment

In a notable strategic development, Bank of Singapore has appointed veteran banker Lim Leong Guan to spearhead its Dubai operations, reflecting the bank’s ambition to expand its presence in the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) segment. This appointment aligns with the bank’s overarching growth objectives, emphasizing the significance of Dubai as a financial hub within its global network.

Lim Leong Guan’s New Role

Starting July 1, Lim Leong Guan will assume the role of Head of Private Banking for the Middle East, South Asia, and International markets, pending regulatory approval. With 35 years of experience in the private banking sector, Lim brings extensive knowledge and a proven track record to the position, having joined Bank of Singapore in 2020. His leadership is expected to fortify the bank’s focus on UHNW clients, making Dubai a strategic counterpart to established markets like Singapore and Hong Kong.

This new initiative comes at a pivotal time for the bank, which aims to achieve a 30% increase in its UHNW assets under management by 2028. Recent insights from Capgemini’s World Wealth Report indicated that the UHNW demographic grew by 9.4% in 2025, reinforcing its status as one of the fastest-growing wealth segments globally. Lim’s experience will be instrumental in leveraging this growth trend and aligning strategies accordingly.

Previous Achievements and Experience

Before this appointment, Lim served as the Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, Family Office, and Wealth Advisory. Notably, during his tenure, he oversaw a significant doubling of assets under management from financial intermediaries within just two years. His contributions included launching the Bank of Singapore Family Office Catalyst in 2025, aimed at assisting affluent clients in developing their wealth management frameworks into family offices.

Furthermore, Lim’s previous roles at UBS Wealth Management, where he honed his skills for 25 years, included pivotal positions like Asia-Pacific Head of Wealth Planning. His depth of experience will undoubtedly aid in enhancing the bank’s service offerings and client engagement strategies in the ultra-competitive Dubai market.

Leadership Restructuring at Bank of Singapore

In conjunction with Lim’s new role, the bank also announced a leadership shift in its Financial Intermediaries (FIM) segment. Annabelle Chow is set to take over as the global segment lead, reporting directly to the incoming ASEAN private banking head, Vi Sun Yang. Chow has been with Bank of Singapore since 2016 and has played a crucial role in building the FIM business, overseeing a substantial growth in team size across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai over the past three years.

The introduction of the FIM Alternatives Select platform, developed in partnership with iCapital, further exemplifies the bank’s commitment to providing intermediary partners with access to an extensive range of investment opportunities, including over 1,600 funds from 600 asset managers.

Conclusion: A Strategic Move for Bank of Singapore

The appointment of Lim Leong Guan and the restructuring of leadership within the bank underscore Bank of Singapore’s commitment to enhancing its competitive edge in the UHNW market. “Appointing him to lead the Dubai team underscores its importance as a key hub alongside Singapore and Hong Kong,” emphasized Bank of Singapore CEO Jason Moo. As a private banking subsidiary of OCBC, the bank continues to focus on serving affluent clients across Asia, Greater China, the Middle East, and beyond, further solidifying its global presence in the wealth management sector.