Singapore, January 23, 2026, 14:10 (SGT)
- Bank of Singapore names Collins Chin as its new global chief financial officer
- Chin, who formerly headed investor relations at parent company OCBC, is set to join the bank’s global management committee
- The move brings in senior finance leadership amid market swings and increased scrutiny on private banks
Bank of Singapore named Collins Chin as its new global chief financial officer, the private bank announced in a LinkedIn post. Chin was previously in charge of investor relations at its parent company, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC). https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bank-of-sin…
The finance chief role is crucial as private banks navigate a volatile market where clients shift funds quickly and regulators demand greater scrutiny. The CFO, as the top finance executive, usually manages capital, liquidity, and financial reporting — the vital infrastructure that breaks down conspicuously when markets wobble.
Singapore’s private banks are fiercely vying for affluent clients, going head-to-head with DBS, UOB, and global firms like UBS. Securing new business is just step one; the real challenge lies in preserving profit margins amid tightening compliance rules. Finance chiefs find themselves caught right in the middle of this pressure cooker.
Chin is set to join Bank of Singapore’s global management committee, reporting directly to CEO Jason Moo, according to IR Impact. Moo described the hire as “testament to the commitment of OCBC Group to nurture homegrown talent.” https://www.ir-impact.com/2026/01/people-m…
Chin started at OCBC in 2009 as head of group financial and management reporting before moving up to lead investor relations in 2013, Asian Banking & Finance reported. The investor relations team manages communication with shareholders and analysts, while also playing a key role in capital-raising and M&A, which stands for mergers and acquisitions. https://asianbankingandfinance.net/news/ba…
Chin previously worked at Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered, and Barclays Capital before joining OCBC. He also led investor relations at Singapore Exchange, Fintech News Singapore reported, citing The Edge. https://fintechnews.sg/124789/fintech/bank…
The CFO role at a private bank goes beyond mere bean-counting. It includes making funding decisions, controlling costs, and approving moves that determine how aggressively the bank expands across markets.
However, no finance chief can escape the business cycle. Private banking fees usually drop as markets decline and client activity eases, and a sustained downturn can squeeze profits even at the most efficiently managed firms.
Chin spent over ten years managing investor communications and capital markets within the OCBC group. He’s now moving into a role that’s less visible to the public but more directly tied to the core financials behind daily operations.
