Personal Wealth Banker

UOB and AWS Launch First-of-its-Kind Hybrid Cloud Model for ASEAN Banking. UOB and Amazon Web Services have entered a memorandum of understanding to develop a first-of-its-kind hybrid cloud infrastructure for banking in the ASEAN region. This collaboration addresses the critical challenge of balancing rapid AI innovation with the stringent data residency and regulatory requirements that often hinder cloud adoption in highly regulated financial markets. What was announced. The collaboration establishes a dedicated cloud environment in Singapore designed to serve UOB's operations across five key ASEAN markets: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This hybrid infrastructure model utilizes an isolated cloud extension, allowing the bank to run systems and data across both on-premises hardware and cloud environments. This specific architecture is intended to meet the varying regulatory and data residency mandates of each individual jurisdiction while maintaining a unified technological framework. A primary focus of the agreement is the integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities. UOB intends to leverage Amazon Bedrock, a fully managed service for building and scaling generative AI applications, to enhance its existing Enterprise GenAI Platform (EGP). The bank aims to use these tools to develop conversational banking features and personalized customer services, as well as internal employee productivity applications. The model is designed so that UOB's data remains within the dedicated environment, allowing for configuration that supports compliance with local market rules. Beyond infrastructure, the agreement includes a structured learning and enablement program. This initiative is designed to build AI fluency and cloud skills across the bank's workforce. Training will cover cloud technologies, generative AI, data analytics, and security compliance, supporting the bank's broader efforts to modernize its technology stack and internal operations through a responsible deployment of AI-powered solutions. "At UOB, we see AI as a transformative capability that can help us become a more adaptive, intelligent and responsive organisation. Realising this vision requires a secure and resilient technology foundation, strong governance, and the right ecosystem of partners. Our collaboration with AWS reflects our strategic intent to accelerate innovation, enhance customer experiences, increase productivity and create long-term value for our customers, employees and stakeholders across ASEAN. We also see potential to broaden this collaboration over time and explore additional areas with the wider Amazon group." Lawrence Goh, Head of Group Technology and Operations, UOB. The companies involved. UOB is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories. In the ASEAN region, it maintains a significant presence with core operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The bank has established itself as a major player in regional trade and personal banking, often participating in large-scale digital transformation projects within the Singaporean financial ecosystem. FF News has previously covered the bank's activities 18 times, highlighting its role in regional market developments. Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. It offers over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally, ranging from compute and storage to advanced machine learning and robotics. AWS has a deep history of working with financial institutions to migrate legacy systems to the cloud. The company has been featured in 112 stories by FF News, reflecting its dominant position as a primary infrastructure provider for the global fintech and banking sectors. What FF News has reported before. FF News has tracked the increasing intersection of AWS infrastructure and banking innovation. In late 2026, Ascento Capital reported on how Thought Machine and AWS Launch AI Tool to Accelerate Legacy Core Banking Migrations, a move specifically targeted at helping Tier 1 banks move away from aging on-premises systems. Additionally, UOB has been active in the digital asset space; FF News covered a milestone where Singapore's Big Three Banks Execute First Live Tokenised Deposit Transactions via Swift. This prior coverage underscores UOB's ongoing strategy to integrate blockchain and cloud technologies into its core banking operations to maintain its competitive edge in the Singaporean market. What this means. This collaboration highlights a pivotal shift in how the financial sector approaches the public cloud. For years, the "all-in" cloud strategy has been stymied by national regulators concerned about data sovereignty and systemic risk. By implementing an isolated cloud extension, the industry is moving toward a "sovereign-lite" model that offers the scalability of global providers with the physical control of on-premises hardware. This puts significant pressure on regional competitors who lack the scale to negotiate such bespoke infrastructure. The central question for the sector now is whether these hybrid models can truly satisfy regulators across diverse jurisdictions like Indonesia and Vietnam simultaneously without creating fragmented silos. Featured speakers.

Baiduri Bank establishes inaugural EMTN Programme, expanding access to global capital markets. UOB acts as sole arranger and dealer for the EMTN Programme, providingaplatformforBaiduriBanktostrengthenfundingresilience and expand its international investor base. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Baiduri Bank Sendirian Berhad (Baiduri Bank) has established its inaugural USD2 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme (EMTN Programme) on 5 October 2026, pursuant to which Baiduri Bank may issue notes (Notes) from time to time. The establishment of the EMTN Programme marks a significant milestone in Baiduri Bank's funding strategy and enhances Brunei's connectivity with international capital markets. The EMTN Programme provides a platform for Baiduri Bank to access international debt capital markets and, subject to compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and directives, Baiduri Bank may issue Notes from time to time. United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) has been appointed by Baiduri Bank to act as the sole arranger and dealer for the EMTN Programme. The establishment of the EMTN Programme strengthens Baiduri Bank's funding flexibility and diversifies its sources of funding as it advances its long-term growth ambitions. It also broadens the Bank's engagement with international institutional investors, supporting a more resilient and diversified funding profile. Ti Eng Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Baiduri Bank, said: "Our EMTN Programme reflects Baiduri Bank's commitment to maintaining a resilient and diversified funding profile. As we advance our growth strategy, the EMTN Programme provides a strong foundation to support our future funding needs while enhancing our engagement with the global investment community." The Programme represents an important step in Baiduri Bank's development as it strengthens its access to international capital markets and reinforces its position as one of Brunei's leading financial institutions. It is also expected to contribute to the continued development of Brunei's financial sector by increasing the visibility of the country's homegrown institutions among global fixed-income investors. Samuel Tan, Head of Group Investment Banking, UOB, said: "The establishment of Baiduri Bank's inaugural EMTN Programme marks a significant milestone for both Baiduri Bank and the continued evolution of Brunei's capital markets. As sole arranger and dealer, UOB will support Baiduri Bank in strengthening its funding flexibility and expanding its access to international investors. The EMTN Programme provides a strong platform to support Baiduri Bank's long-term growth ambitions while reinforcing Brunei's connectivity with global capital markets." Important notice This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any invitation, offer, or solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction to acquire, purchase, or subscribe for any securities, nor should it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. You should not consider any information in this press release legal, financial, business or tax advice. The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The Notes may not be offered or sold in or into the United States or delivered within the United States unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available and in accordance with all applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and any other jurisdiction. About Baiduri Bank Group Established in Brunei Darussalam in 1994, Baiduri Bank Group is one of the country's largest providers of financial products and services and one of Brunei Darussalam's two systemic financial institutions. The Group comprises Baiduri Bank and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Baiduri Finance and Baiduri Capital, providing banking services to institutions and corporations, retail banking, consumer financing, securities trading and wealth management. Combining a global outlook with extensive local knowledge and a strong commitment to the Brunei market, the Bank has a track record of financial innovation and pioneering initiatives. In 2025, the Bank established the Baiduri Bank Representative Office, Singapore, a Representative Office Registered in Singapore as part of its strategic initiative to grow its regional business. Baiduri Bank holds an 'A-/A-2' credit rating with a Stable Outlook from S&P Global Ratings. Baiduri Bank was recognised in the inaugural Forbes World's Top-Performing Banks 2026 ranking, placing 43rd among 149 banks globally in the USD3 billion to USD10 billion asset category. It was the only Brunei bank featured on the list. The Bank was also named Best Bank in Brunei 2026 by Euromoney for the fourth time and Best Retail Bank in Brunei 2026 at the TAB Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards. In addition, Baiduri Bank was recognised as a 3-Star Lister on the ESG Select List 2025 by the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) and received the Brunei Employee Engagement of the Year - Banking award at the Asian Management Excellence Awards 2026 for the third consecutive year. UOB is a leading Asian bank with a global network in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, it has a global network of about 430 branches and offices in 19 markets. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world's top banks: Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. For more than nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN - for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN. UOB connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer's unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of education, children and art, doing right by its communities and stakeholders. SOURCE UOB

United Overseas Bank has allocated S$800 million ($627 million) to expand its private banking division over the next five years. Singapore's third-largest lender plans to hire 50 relationship managers annually during this period, according to private bank head Chew Mun Yew. The investment will also fund technology improvements. UOB is planning to establish a booking centre in Hong Kong and expects to attract more offshore wealth clients from Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. The move comes as the bank seeks to match the growth of its competitors in the wealth management sector.