UOB Private Bank Appoints Market Head for Greater China

UOB Private Bank has appointed veteran banker Paul Zhou as Market Head for Greater China, as the bank accelerates its expansion strategy in one of Asia’s most competitive wealth management markets. Paul Zhou will assume the role effective 11 May 2026 and will oversee the growth and strategic development of UOB Private Bank’s Greater China business, according to a company announcement released Monday. The appointment comes as Singapore-based UOB steps up efforts to deepen its presence among high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients across mainland China and the broader Greater China region. Two Decades of Experience in Private Banking Zhou brings more than two decades of experience in private banking, wealth management and sales leadership. He joins the private banking arm from UOB China, where he has served as Head of Sales and Distribution since 2018. In that role, he led the bank’s wealth management and secured lending sales teams, as well as specialist investment and insurance units. UOB credited Zhou with helping to expand the bank’s customer base, increase assets under management and deposits, while maintaining strong governance and compliance standards. Before joining UOB China, Zhou held senior leadership positions at Ping An Trust and Citibank, managing private banking teams and overseeing investment and sales strategies across several major Chinese cities. Earlier in his career, he worked at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and HSBC, building expertise in investment advisory, wealth management and cross-border banking solutions. Zhou holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from the Finance and Banking Institution of China in Beijing. Push to Strengthen Greater China Franchise The appointment is part of a broader push by UOB Private Bank to strengthen its Greater China franchise. The bank said it plans to recruit several experienced relationship managers and team leaders over May and June to further enhance client engagement and support business growth in the region. The expansion reflects continued competition among regional and global banks seeking to capture growing wealth creation opportunities in Greater China, despite ongoing economic uncertainties and market volatility.