Every career has a moment where a single yes opens the door to something more. “Yes Moments” is a series of blogs that celebrates the choices that sparked opportunity and shaped the journeys of our people.

Kerry’s story of perseverance and adaptability has propelled him to lead as Head of Global Markets in OCBC Hong Kong and Macau. From joining OCBC in 2017 to leading a team of nearly 100 today, his journey reflects steady growth and evolving leadership.

Discover how each chapter, from complex integrations to navigating volatile markets, shaped his philosophy and reinforced his belief that small moments matter.

My first “Yes” moment with OCBC came in 2017, when a friend who had joined the bank earlier and was leading the trading team encouraged me to explore opportunities here. That conversation set everything in motion. After several rounds of discussions, I was offered the role to lead the Asset Liability Management (ALM) team of four in 2018.

The years that followed were defined by both challenges and transformation. In 2018 and 2019, we navigated turbulent periods that included the social unrest and the early emergence of COVID-19. In 2022, another major milestone arrived when the Hong Kong integration took place.

Shortly after, the prior head of Global Markets, Helen Chan, stepped down, and I was entrusted by management to take up the role. How did I arrive here? This is my career story.

Early Years Around the Globe

I was born in Shanghai and moved to Australia with my family at the age of 13. After spending six years there and a year in Fiji, I eventually found my way to Singapore.

I enrolled in a polytechnic to study computer engineering, even though university was not in my plans at the time. Everything changed in my second year when I watched my friends thrive in their internships. That became a turning point. I pushed myself harder, represented my school in a robotics competition in San Francisco, and graduated in the top ten percent of my class.

To support myself after graduation, I worked in a sales job selling printed advertisements and even started a small business. Those experiences taught me grit and discipline.

Two years later, I decided to apply to Nanyang Technological University. I was fortunate to be accepted into the accountancy programme. That moment was a turning point. It was when I began to think about my future seriously and committed to making intentional choices.

Career at Standard Chartered: FX Trading to Treasury

I began my career at Standard Chartered in Singapore as an FX structured product trader. In 2011, I moved to Hong Kong to help the bank with the expansion of the equity business. Six months later, the business closed, and I found myself at a crossroads.

At the time, Gary Tan, a respected banker and the global head of treasury at Standard Chartered, encouraged me to move into treasury. The first two years were challenging, and I often questioned whether I should stay. Choosing to persevere turned out to be pivotal. It opened the door to my eventual “Yes” to OCBC Hong Kong.

Joining OCBC Hong Kong and Growing the ALM Team

When I first joined, OCBC Hong Kong had lower brand recognition compared to names like Standard Chartered or DBS. Taking on the role of head of Asset Liability Management, even with a small team, was a leap of faith.

Over the years, that leap has been rewarded. OCBC’s reputation and presence in Hong Kong strengthened significantly, and industry peers now recognise us for our culture, business conduct, and performance. We work long hours, often ten to twelve hours a day, which makes the people around you especially important. People truly are our greatest asset.

Although I began my career as a trader, I never expected that people management would one day become the bulk of my job. Today, about 70 percent of my time is spent on managing people and navigating the challenges that come with it.

Last July, Global Markets absorbed the securities team, doubling my headcount to 99. It is my first time leading a team of this scale, and it has been both exciting and demanding. My role is no longer only about managing risk. It is about growing the franchise, building income streams, and working closely with sales heads and business partners. I have found myself revisiting my old sales playbook and putting renewed focus on cross selling and teamwork.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

Throughout the years, I have learnt that small things matter. Daily interactions and culture shape who we are. I have experienced my share of awkward moments and failures, and they remain some of my greatest teachers. When I entered Nanyang Technological University, I was five years older than most of my classmates, a reminder that everyone moves at a different pace. I often tell people to embrace failure because it is how growth happens. I tell my children the same.

The period from 2022 to 2023 was especially humbling. Central banks started hiking interest rates rapidly, placing pressure on our business. At the same time, we were merging subsidiaries, which added layers of complexity. Yet, these challenges pushed us to grow as risk takers, as managers, and business leaders.

Looking ahead, we have ambitious goals as part of the bank’s ‘The Next Frontier’ vision by 2028. What excites me most is the chance to grow alongside my team. The journey from leading a small ALM team to managing nearly one hundred people has transformed me in ways I could not have imagined.

Saying yes to opportunities has shaped every stage of my career. As we continue building toward OCBC’s future, I remain committed to embracing new challenges and building what comes next with my team.

Every journey starts with a choice. When was the last time you said yes? Opportunity Starts Here.