A New Identity: Poised for Growth
In 1965, United Chinese Bank (UCB) underwent a significant transformation.
The political situation was such that Singapore banks could not do business directly with Indonesia; and needed to do so via a third location. UCB chose Hong Kong as the location but there was already a United Chinese Bank present in that market. Out of necessity, the name was changed to United Overseas Bank.
On 15 May 1965, UOB’s first overseas branch outside of Singapore and Malaysia was opened in the Hang Chong Building in Hong Kong.
UOB’s first year of operation under its new name coincided with the birth of the Republic of Singapore, declared by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 9 August 1965.
Across the decades since, UOB’s growth and expansion across Southeast Asia and beyond have mirrored Singapore’s own growth and development, with shared prosperity as the goal for customers and citizens alike.