UOB ‘Celebrating 90 Years, Inspiring The Next 90’ Event

Introduction

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of UOB,

Distinguished guests,

1.           Good evening,

a.    We gather to mark a remarkable milestone. UOB turns 90.  

b.    this is no small feat– especially in a young nation like ours.

c.    UOB began its journey with one branch on Bonham Street in 1935, and has grown into a regional bank with a global network of over 500 offices in 19 countries.

d.    And along the way, UOB and Singapore have shared the same winds, tides and storms. We grew stronger together. Tonight, we honour that shared story and we look ahead to write the next chapters.

UOB in the Community

2.           While Banking is UOB’s business, it has also played an active role in supporting our community.

a.    In education, in the arts, and now, in sports.

b.    In education, the Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Award is more than a scholarship. The award backs young Singaporeans who show grit, curiosity and heart. Many have gone on to lead student bodies, volunteer groups, and start-ups. These seeds that UOB sowed in our young Singaporeans have gone on to pay dividends for our community and the country.

c.     In the Arts, the UOB Painting of the Year competition has uncovered more than a thousand artists across Southeast Asia. Five winners have later received the Cultural Medallion – our nation’s highest artistic honour. Among them, the late Sarkasi Said, a batik painter known for his unconventional wax-resisting technique, bold use of colours and depictions of nature. As well as Teo Eng Seng, an innovative artist known for his emotive and raw style. Similarly, the seeds that UOB sowed have blossomed and helped shape Singapore’s art scene significantly.

d.    Tonight, we have a new chapter – UOB’s support for Sports. UOB is sponsoring and donating $100,000 to the Singapore Tennis Association to support student-athletes. Nineteen-year-old Bill Chan will be the first amongst Singapore’s aspiring tennis youths to benefit. Last year, Bill became the first Singaporean to play in the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open Junior Grand Slam tournaments. He is currently serving National Service and will be furthering his studies and his tennis training overseas. With UOB behind him, his dreams now feel a little closer. And I’m sure that he will do us proud.

Building a Caring and Cohesive Society

3.           We are truly grateful for UOB’s support.

4.           At MCCY, people are at the heart of what we do.

a.    We create spaces – physical and social - where Singaporeans meet, share and dream together.

b.    The result is a society that is caring and cohesive.

5.                But we cannot do this alone.

a.    We need partners who see themselves as nation builders too. UOB is one such key partner.

b.    And as we celebrate SG60 this year, it reminds us that Singapore’s success has been forged through unity and shared purpose. 

c.     Looking ahead, our journey calls for an even stronger partnership between all of us, as we work hand in hand to build a home where every Singaporean can thrive, dream, and belong, together.

6.                Our corporates have always been a part of this journey, and as we step forward into this changed world, it is even more crucial for us to build our Singapore together.

Concluding Remarks

7.           So thank you, once again, UOB and congratulations on this very significant milestone.

a.    I wish you all the very best for the next 90, and beyond.

Thank you.