Corporate Profile
  • About Us
  • Note From The Director & CEO
  •  Our Mission, Objectives and Strategies
  •  Board Of Directors
  •  Senior Management
  •  Risk Management
  •  Accolades
Financial Highlights
Press Room
Careers
Worldwide Offices

Introduction > Corporate Profile > About Us


About UOB Group
Keeping you informed

About UOB Group

UOB was founded on 6 August 1935 by Sarawak-born Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang and a group of Chinese businessmen. Since then, UOB has grown from strength to strength. Through a series of acquisitions, UOB is now a leading bank in Asia. Besides UOB (Malaysia), UOB’s major banking subsidiaries in the region are Far Eastern Bank Limited, United Overseas Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited, PT Bank UOB Indonesia, PT Bank UOB Buana Tbk and United Overseas Bank (China) Limited. Today, the UOB Group has a network of over 500 offices in 18 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Western Europe and North America. 

As at 31 December 2009, the UOB Group had total assets of S$185.6 billion and shareholders’ equity of S$19.0 billion. It achieved a net profit after tax of S$1.9 billion (no change) in 2009 with a ROE of 11.9%.


UOB Group Milestones

2008

UOB and China Unionpay ("CUP") signed a landmark agreement to allow millions of Chinese visitors and tourists to use their CUP credit and debit cards to make purchases at participating merchants. This is a first for any Singapore-headquartered bank.

United Overseas Bank (China) commenced business in January 2008.

2007

PT Bank Buana Indonesia Tbk renamed PT Bank UOB Buana Tbk (UOB Buana).

Mr Wee Ee Cheong succeeded Mr Wee Cho Yaw, as CEO of the UOB Group. Mr Wee Cho Yaw remains Group Chairman.

UOB received approval from the China Banking Regulatory Commission to incorporate United Overseas Bank (China).

In Vietnam, UOB completed the acquisition of a 10% equity stake in The Southern Commercial Joint Stock Bank.

2006
UOB broke new ground in Vietnam by becoming the first foreign bank to be part of a domestic card network. UOB sealed the agreement to be a member of the Vietnam Bank Card ("VNBC") network.

2005
UOB increased its shareholding in PT Bank Buana from 23% to a controlling stake of 53% in October 2005, followed by a further increase to 61.1% as at end of 2005 after a mandatory tender offer.

UOB completed the integration of its two Thai banking subsidiaries, Bank of Asia and UOB Radanasin Bank, and established United Overseas Bank (Thai).

UOB converted its subsidiary, United Overseas Bank Philippines, into a thrift bank.

2004
UOB acquired a 23% interest in PT Bank Buana Indonesia Tbk, making it an associate of UOB.

UOB acquired a 97% interest in Bank of Asia Public Company Limited, Thailand.

2002
UOB acquired 100% shareholding of ICB.

2001
UOB acquired 100% shareholding in Overseas Union Bank Limited ("OUB").

1999
UOB acquired a majority interest in Westmont Bank, Philippines and the bank was renamed United Overseas Bank Philippines.

UOB acquired a majority interest in Radanasin Bank, Thailand and the bank was renamed UOB Radanasin Bank Public Company Limited.

1995
UOB celebrated 60 years of banking in Singapore.

Singapore's Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, officially opened UOB Plaza, the Bank's new headquarters building at 80 Raffles Place.

1988
CKB became a wholly-owned banking subsidiary of UOB.

1987
UOB acquired a majority interest in Industrial & Commercial Bank Limited ("ICB").

1984
UOB acquired a majority interest in Far Eastern Bank Limited ("FEB").

1974
Mr Wee Cho Yaw succeeded Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang, as Chairman of the UOB Group.

UOB moved into its new 30-storey UOB Building at 1 Bonham Street.

1973
UOB acquired 100% shareholding in Lee Wah Bank Limited and its branch network in Singapore and Malaysia.

1971
UOB acquired a majority interest in Chung Khiaw Bank Limited ("CKB") and its branch network in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

UOB introduced its distinctive red five-barred logo that is derived from the traditional Chinese 'five-barred gate' system of counting in fives.

1970
UOB obtained a listing on the then Joint Stock Exchange of Singapore and Malaysia.

1965
UCB changed its name to United Overseas Bank ("UOB").

UOB opened its first overseas branch in Hong Kong.

1935
Sarawak-born Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang, founded the United Chinese Bank ("UCB") together with six other Chinese businessmen. UCB's paid-up capital was a modest Straits $1 million.



Home    Personal Banking    Business & Corporate    Corporate Profile
Contact Us    Privacy Policy    Terms and Conditions


Copyright © United Overseas Bank. All rights reserved.