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United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) Limited (UOB Vietnam) has appointed Pham Hong Hai as its Deputy Country CEO, effective June 15, 2026. In his new role, Hai will report directly to UOB Vietnam Chief Executive Officer Victor Ngo and support the bank’s strategic growth plans, governance framework, and risk management initiatives. Hai brings more than three decades of experience in banking and financial services, having held senior leadership positions at both local and international financial institutions. Pham Hong Hai’s appoinment as Deputy Country CEO takes effect starting June 15, 2026. Photo courtesy of UOB Vietnam. Before joining UOB Vietnam, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), where he led business expansion and transformation efforts. Prior to OCB, Hai spent 28 years with HSBC, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Vietnam and holding leadership roles within Global Banking and Markets in Vietnam and Canada. During his tenure, he contributed to business development, client relationship management, and talent cultivation across multiple markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and a diploma in Financial Services Management from the Institute of Financial Services in the United Kingdom. Victor Ngo said the appointment underscores UOB Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening its leadership bench as it continues to expand its footprint in the country. “Vietnam remains a key market in UOB’s ASEAN strategy and continues to present significant growth opportunities. With his extensive experience and deep industry expertise, Hai will play an important role in advancing our strategic priorities, supporting clients’ growth and contributing to Vietnam’s continued development and regional connectivity,” Ngo said. UOB Vietnam became a wholly owned subsidiary of UOB on July 2, 2018, although the group’s presence in Vietnam dates back to 1993 with the opening of a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City. In 1995, it became the first Singaporean bank to establish a branch in the country. Today, UOB Vietnam offers retail, corporate, and institutional banking services through five branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, following the acquisition of Citibank Vietnam’s consumer banking business in 2023. UOB Group operates around 430 branches and offices across 19 markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, while also supporting initiatives in sustainable development, education, children’s welfare, and the arts through its corporate responsibility programmes.

After more than four years as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Asia School of Business (ASB), Kristina Rai is returning to Bank Negara Malaysia to head the Financial Education Network National Coordination Office (FENNCO), where she will spearhead the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026–2030 (NS2.0). Bank Negara Malaysia (FENNCO) Director, Kristina Rai. Her appointment marks a significant step in advancing Malaysia’s financial literacy agenda, aimed at strengthening financial resilience and inclusion among Malaysians. Kristina brings with her an accomplished career spanning three decades at Bank Negara Malaysia, having held leadership roles across Human Resource Development and Talent Management, Strategy Management and Corporate Planning, as well as International Relations Policy. She also played an instrumental role as a financial services negotiator in Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions. Beyond her contributions within the central bank, Kristina has also served on the Board of Advisors of regional think tank IMAN Research, reflecting her commitment to policy development and thought leadership. During her tenure at ASB, Kristina was widely recognised for driving operational transformation and supporting key institutional milestones that strengthened the school’s position as a leading business education institution in the region. At FENNCO, she is expected to champion a collaborative, whole-of-nation approach by working closely with government agencies, industry players, educational institutions and community organisations to enhance financial literacy and empower Malaysians to make informed financial decisions. The National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026–2030 seeks to build a financially capable society that is better equipped to navigate economic challenges, manage personal finances responsibly and participate meaningfully in the country’s growing digital economy. Kristina’s extensive experience in policymaking, talent development and strategic planning positions her well to lead FENNCO in delivering impactful initiatives that support Malaysia’s long-term financial well-being goals.

BitGo has appointed Angela Ang as managing director for Asia-Pacific and president of BitGo Singapore, strengthening its leadership team in the region. Ang brings more than a decade of experience from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), where she played a key role in developing the country’s payments and cryptocurrency licensing framework. She later joined blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs as head of APAC public policy and strategic partnerships. Angela Ang, the Managing Director of BitGo APAC. BitGo said Ang assumed the role after fulfilling all regulatory and fit-and-proper requirements. At MAS, she led the implementation of the licensing regime under which BitGo Singapore now operates as a Major Payment Institution. In her new position, Ang will oversee BitGo’s business growth, market development and operations across Asia-Pacific. BitGo chief operating officer Jody Mettler said her appointment reinforces the company’s presence in one of the world’s most significant digital asset markets. The appointment comes as BitGo expands its global footprint following its public listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BTGO. The company offers digital asset custody, trading, lending, settlement and stablecoin infrastructure services to institutional clients worldwide. Ang said the Asia-Pacific region is entering an important phase of institutional digital asset adoption and market development, presenting significant opportunities for growth.

Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) has appointed Azman Hasim as its chief executive officer, effective June 18. Azman brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has served AKPK for nearly two decades. He has been acting CEO since Jan 1, 2026, following the retirement of former CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, and a registered Shariah financial planner. As CEO, Azman will lead AKPK’s long-term strategy, focusing on enhancing financial literacy, expanding advisory and debt management services, and increasing outreach to underserved communities. AKPK chairman Fauziah Hisham said Azman’s extensive experience, strategic vision and deep understanding of the agency’s mission position him well to lead AKPK into its next phase of growth and impact.