Fintech in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 72.5% from 2015 to reach US$72 billion in 2020, according to a Frost & Sullivan report.

But insights from Michael Page indicate that there is a shortage of skills for roles in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science UI/UX and digital transformation, urging businesses to develop sound strategies to attract and upskill key talent in Singapore’s tight labor market.

Fintech, banking hiring moves in Singapore

Citibank Singapore’s previous chief executive Han Kwee Juanhas headed to DBS Group Holdings where he will hold the title of group head of strategy and planning. Han will occupy the role previously held by Shee Tse Koon who has moved on to become DBS’ Singapore country head in December last year.

Standard Chartered has appointedChow Wan Thonh as its new Singapore head of global banking. Thonh joins from HSBC where she led global banking in Singapore and corporates, financials and multinational banking for Southeast Asia.

Yuval Illuz, former group chief information security and trust officer at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, has been appointed as the global head of operations for cyber, data, privacy and automation at Standard Chartered. Illuz has over 20 years of experience in technology, IT, cyber security and operations.

Malaysian bank RHB Banking Group has appointed veteran banker Danny Quah as country head of Singapore as well as CEO of RHB Bank Singapore. Quah previously served as the regional CEO for Chong Sing Fintech Group, a listed company in Hong Kong, where he was tasked to set up a regional headquarters in Singapore to invest in fintech companies across Southeast Asia.

Ketan Samani has been named advisor for digital platform and innovation at SoHo Capital, a private investment company, according to DigFin. Semani continues to run consumer digital at Singtel.

Indonesian tech startup Go-Jek has appointed management consultant Lien Choong Luenas general manager of Go-Jek Singapore. Lien joins the startup from the National Research Foundation where he worked to enhance innovation at companies at Singapore’s research and development ecosystem.

Fintech, banking jobs moves in Hong Kong

Maaike Steinebach, who previously served as the Hong Kong chief executive of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and is best known for setting up the CBA Innovation Lab in the city, has joined Visa as general manager for Hong Kong and Macau. Steinebach succeeds Caroline Ada, who has been promoted as global head of business planning and played a crucial role in the growth of contactless payments and fintech engagement in Hong Kong and Macau.

Renee Howie has been appointed as COO at CBA where she has been serving as the general manager, business and institutional banking.

Charlesd’Haussey has left the Hong Kong government’s Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) as the head of fintech and joined a blockchain company, according to DigFin Group which cites officials there. D’Haussey joined InvestHK, the department of the Hong Kong SAR Government responsible for foreign direct investment, in 2016 when the organization set up a fintech team.

Philippe Metoudihas been appointed as the new CEO of Fintica, an AI company developing solutions for financial institutions. Fintica is a collaboration between Israel-based Cortica, an AI technology provider enabling autonomous platforms, and Hong Kong-based Duotem Capital, which Metoudi founded in 2013.

Jasmine22, a new business created by HSBC developing technology solutions for trade finance, has appointedHayden Lau as its head of legal. Lau was previously a TMT lawyer at DLA Piper, according to DigFin. Jasmine22 aims to “help businesses grow by investing in brilliant ideas and technology-led solutions to facilitate international trade.” The company is currently hiring for multiple positions in technology and platform/product roles, as well as sales and marketing and operations.

Fintech consultant and expert Medhy Souidi has been appointed as the new head of fintech and StartupXchange at DBS Bank. Souidi continues to serve as the co-chair of the blockchain committee at the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, a mentor at the Technovation Challenge, and is still responsible of organizing fintech events for Metta.

Cavan Chan, a talent and recruitment consultant at GTP Talent Search, has joined Block Manic as the head of community relations. Block Manic is a blockchain startup development agency.

3 Hottest Fintech Job Openings in Singapore and HK in February*

 APAC Banking Lead, Transferwise, Singapore

London-headquartered international money transfer company TransferWise has been expanding into Asia-Pacific and is currently seeking an APAC Banking Lead to be based in Singapore. Lukas May, former head of banking at TransferWise, recently resigned. May was responsible for the company’s Asia-Pacific expansion.

Director Merchant Sales, Visa, Singapore

Visa is seeking a Director, Merchant Sales and Acquiring in Singapore. The position involves understanding and communicating local market needs, effectively defining market-specific strategies and executing strategies in a timely manner.

Head of Fintech, Invest HK, Hong Kong

Invest HK  is looking for a Head of Fintech to lead a Fintech team in developing and executing an investment promotion strategy and business plan to attract, facilitate and provide support to overseas and Mainland Fintech companies, entrepreneurs, investors, talents, Incubators, Accelerators and Innovation Labs.

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