
WeLab Bank is a digital bank that offers a range of innovative financial services. It was founded in 2013 by a team of experienced financial technology professionals.
WeLab Bank is a subsidiary of WeLab, a leading fintech company in Asia. WeLab has a strong track record of innovation and has developed several successful financial products.
WeLab Bank's services include digital banking, lending, and investment products. Its digital banking platform allows users to manage their finances, pay bills, and transfer money online.
WeLab Bank has a strong focus on mobile banking, with a user-friendly app that allows customers to access their accounts and services on-the-go.
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History and Milestones
WeLab Bank has a fascinating history that's worth exploring. In 2017, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority began to explore the need to accelerate the development of FinTech firms in Hong Kong.
The first deadline for the application process was 31 August 2018, and WeLab was quick to respond by establishing WeLab Digital Limited on 21 August 2018. WeLab Digital Limited was later renamed to WeLab Bank Limited on 16 September 2019.
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William Leung was appointed in December 2018 to oversee the application process, which was a crucial step in WeLab Bank's journey. WeLab Bank became the fourth bank to be awarded a virtual banking license in Hong Kong on 10 April 2019.
Ceajer Chan, a senior advisor at WeLab, was appointed as the Chairman of WeLab Bank on the same day. WeLab Bank launched its Pilot Trial on 28 April 2020, giving 2,000 users early access to its banking products.
The pilot trial was a significant milestone for WeLab Bank, and it officially launched to the public on 30 July 2020, nearly 2 years after the company was established.
Bank Operations
WeLab Bank's operations are designed to be seamless and efficient. The bank has a robust digital infrastructure that enables it to process transactions and manage customer accounts in real-time.
The bank's digital platform allows customers to open accounts, apply for loans, and make payments with ease. This has led to a significant increase in customer satisfaction and loyalty.

WeLab Bank has a strong focus on security, with multiple layers of protection in place to safeguard customer data and prevent cyber threats. This includes advanced encryption technologies and regular security audits.
The bank's operations are also highly scalable, allowing it to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. This has enabled WeLab Bank to expand its services and reach a wider customer base.
WeLab Bank's digital platform is available 24/7, allowing customers to access their accounts and perform transactions at any time. This has greatly increased the bank's accessibility and convenience for customers.
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Leadership and Governance
WeLab Bank has a solid leadership and governance structure in place, with a board of directors that has been appointed over the years.
Simon Loong, a co-founder and CEO of WeLab Limited, was appointed as a non-executive director on August 21, 2018. He is also the co-founder of the parent company of WeLab Bank.

The board of directors includes Ceajer Chan, who was appointed as a non-executive director on the same day as Loong, and serves as the Chairman of WeLab Bank.
Here is an overview of the board of directors:
Lee Ka Tat, the Chief Executive of WeLab Bank, was appointed on June 1, 2019, bringing extensive experience to the role.
Former CEOs
Former CEOs have valuable insights to share about leadership and governance. They often possess a unique perspective on what works and what doesn't in a company.
Jeffrey Immelt, former CEO of GE, attributed his success to being willing to make tough decisions. He made some tough calls during his tenure, including a major restructuring effort.
A good leader knows when to take risks and when to play it safe. This is evident in the story of Meg Whitman, who took the reins at HP and made significant changes to the company's product lineup.
Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox, led the company through a major turnaround after a significant financial crisis. She focused on cost-cutting and restructuring efforts.
Effective leaders understand the importance of adaptability and being open to change. This is a key takeaway from the experiences of former CEOs like Meg Whitman and Anne Mulcahy.
Board of Directors
The board of directors plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of a company. One notable example is WeLab Bank, which has a diverse and experienced board.
Simon Loong was appointed as a non-executive director on August 21, 2018. He is the co-founder and Chief Executive of WeLab Limited, the parent company of WeLab Bank.
Ceajer Chan joined the board on the same day, bringing his expertise as Chairman of WeLab Bank. He is also a Chairman, overseeing the company's overall strategy.
Ernest Leung was appointed on March 3, 2021, as a non-executive director. As the Chief Operating Officer of WeLab Limited, he brings valuable operational expertise to the board.

Lee Ka Tat was appointed as an executive director on June 1, 2019. He serves as the Chief Executive of WeLab Bank, leading the company's day-to-day operations.
Donald Roberts joined the board on the same day as Lee Ka Tat, bringing his experience as a former Group Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
Irene Chang was appointed on August 30, 2019, as an independent non-executive director. She has a background in retail credit, having worked as a former Retail Credit Head at Citibank.
Here is a list of the board members:
- Simon Loong - Non-executive Director, Co-founder and Chief Executive of WeLab Limited
- Ceajer Chan - Non-executive Director, Chairman of WeLab Bank
- Ernest Leung - Non-executive Director, Chief Operating Officer of WeLab Limited
- Lee Ka Tat - Executive Director, Chief Executive of WeLab Bank
- Donald Roberts - Independent Non-executive Director, Former Group Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Hutchison Whampoa Limited
- Irene Chang - Independent Non-executive Director, Former Retail Credit Head at Citibank
Unique Approach
WeLab Bank's unique approach to banking is centered around its digital-only platform, which allows for seamless online and mobile banking experiences. This approach has helped the bank to reach a wider customer base and increase its operational efficiency.
The bank's digital-only platform is supported by advanced technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, which enable it to provide personalized services to its customers. By leveraging these technologies, WeLab Bank can analyze customer behavior and preferences to offer tailored financial solutions.
WeLab Bank's focus on digital banking has also enabled it to reduce its operational costs and increase its profit margins. This, in turn, has allowed the bank to offer competitive interest rates and fees to its customers.
The bank's unique approach to banking has also enabled it to expand its services beyond traditional banking products, such as loans and deposits. WeLab Bank now offers a range of financial services, including investment products and insurance services.
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Lending and Wealth Management
WeLab Bank's lending and wealth management services are a game-changer for consumers and financial institutions alike. With its big-data-driven alternative credit-scoring models, WeLab can approve loans in just a few minutes, at better pricing than traditional banks.
WeLab's risk assessment is more sophisticated than traditional banks, thanks to its use of big data and artificial intelligence. This means that WeLab can offer more competitive loan options to consumers.
WeLab's partnership with Citigroup is a testament to its capabilities, with the two companies working together on a $260 million asset-backed financing deal. This deal provided capital against WeLend's loans and their underlying collateral.
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Product Scope
WeLab Bank offers a range of financial services that cater to the needs of individual customers.
Their deposit services include savings accounts and time deposits, providing customers with a safe and secure place to park their money.
WeLab Bank's loan services are also available to individual customers, offering a convenient and accessible way to access credit when needed.
By offering both deposit and loan services, WeLab Bank aims to provide a comprehensive suite of financial products that meet the diverse needs of its customers.
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Digitalizing Wealth
WeLab Bank is taking a tech-savvy approach to lending and wealth management.
Banks often view lending as a transactional process, but WeLab Bank creates added value by using its platform for financial education, planning, and advice.
WeLab Bank's technology allows it to serve customers cheaply, which is a significant departure from traditional banking models.
The bank has a unique approach to wealth management, trying to avoid the traditional model of incentivizing relationship managers by commission.
This commission-based model can lead to relationship managers pushing expensive products that aren't suitable for retail investors.
WeLab Bank was among the first in Hong Kong to build robo-advisors, which provide digital investment advice.
It has co-designed digital wealth management with its strategic partner, Allianz, which has 100+ years of historical data to inform its recommendations.
WeLab Bank's digital wealth management service takes a 0.08 percent monthly fee, calculated daily, instead of charging front-end loads, which can range from 1.5-2.0 percent.
Regional and Global Presence
WeLab Bank has a significant presence in the region and beyond. It operates one of the first licensed digital banks in Asia, WeLab Bank, and has a strong footprint in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Indonesia.
The company has successfully scaled up as a leading pan-Asian fintech platform, serving over 60 million individual users and 700 enterprise customers. WeLab uses game-changing technology to help customers access credit, save money, and enjoy their financial journey.
WeLab Bank has a remarkable growth rate, acquiring a new user every 3.8 seconds. This is a testament to its innovative approach and user-friendly services.
WeLab's expansion strategy involves exporting its digital banking model to other markets, starting with Indonesia where it has launched two digital banks, Bank Jasa Jakarta and Bank Saqu, with the latter reaching 1 million customers within its first six months of operation.
Technology and Innovation
WeLab Bank is a digital bank that's leading the way in innovation. It's powered by cutting-edge technology that enables it to deliver innovative digital banking services.
The bank's second digital bank in Asia, WeLab Bank in Indonesia, is a testament to its commitment to innovation. WeLab's B2B solution leverages proven consumer lending technology to provide credit technology solutions to banks and institutions.
WeLab's use of big data and artificial intelligence allows it to approve loans in just a few minutes, at better pricing. This is a significant advantage over traditional banks, which often charge high prices due to their inability to accurately calculate risk.
WeLab's risk assessment is more sophisticated than a traditional bank's, thanks to its decade-long experience with big-data-driven alternative credit-scoring models. This expertise has earned the bank a reputation as a leader in data-driven lending.
The bank's success has caught the attention of other financial institutions, including Citigroup, which led a $260 million asset-backed financing for WeLend last year. This partnership demonstrates the bank's ability to work with traditional banks and other financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to transfer money to Welab Bank?
You can transfer money to Welab Bank using Local transfer, Faster Payment System (FPS), or by linking your other bank account. Simply follow the easy steps to get started.
How many virtual banks are there in Hong Kong?
There are 8 virtual banks in Hong Kong, also referred to as VBs. The HKMA is reviewing their operations and impact in 2024.
How do I close my Welab bank account?
To close your Welab bank account, call our Customer Service hotline at (852) 3898 6988. Closing your account is free, so don't forget to download any eStatements and transfer your remaining funds beforehand.
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