OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
OCBC and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has more than 570 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions. These include about 300 branches and offices in Indonesia under subsidiary Bank OCBC NISP, and over 90 branches and offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR under OCBC Wing Hang.
OCBC’s private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals.
OCBC's insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
179
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: I've really appreciated the career growth opportunities here at OCBC. As a DevOps Engineer (AVP), I've had access to a lot of training and projects that expand my skill set, especially in cloud platforms and automation, which is crucial in the banking sector. The team is collaborative, and there's a strong emphasis on learning and development. Being in Singapore, the work environment is professional and supportive. It’s a stable company in the financial industry, which offers a good sense of
Cons: While career growth is great, the pace of change can sometimes feel a bit slow compared to smaller tech firms, especially with internal approval processes for new tools or initiatives. This can occasionally impact project timelines. Also, during peak project phases, the workload can be quite heavy, which sometimes strains the work-life balance, although generally it's manageable.
Advice to Management: Continue investing in cutting-edge technologies and streamlining internal processes to enhance agility. Empower teams with quicker decision-making capabilities regarding tool adoption. Maintaining the focus on employee development, particularly for roles like DevOps Engineer, will ensure the bank
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Pros: I've really appreciated the visionary leadership at OCBC. They genuinely encourage exploring new frontiers in Generative AI for consumer credit risk, which is exciting for an ED/VP in this field. There's excellent support for professional development and plenty of opportunities to lead impactful projects across different business units in the banking sector. The collaborative environment among colleagues in Singapore is a huge plus, making it a great place for growth in financial services.
Cons: While the leadership is fantastic, sometimes the approval processes for cutting-edge AI initiatives can feel a bit drawn out due to the large corporate structure. It's understandable for a major bank like OCBC, but it can occasionally slow down project velocity. Keeping up with the rapid pace of AI development also means the workload can be intense during key delivery phases, especially in a specialized role like a Gen AI lead.
Advice to Management: Continue to empower teams to innovate and perhaps explore ways to streamline internal processes for faster execution of critical AI projects. Investing further in talent development specific to advanced AI roles would also be beneficial for long-term growth and staying competitive in the financial services landscape.
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Pros: I've found OCBC to be a really stable and supportive place to work in the financial services industry. My colleagues are great, always ready to help out, which makes being a Relationship Manager much easier. There are solid learning opportunities and internal training programs that help with career development. Plus, the hybrid work arrangement in Singapore is a definite perk, offering good work-life balance compared to some other banks.
Cons: While it's generally good, the promotion process can sometimes feel a bit slow, especially for a large financial institution like OCBC. There are also occasional busy periods, which is expected for any banking role, but the internal approval processes can sometimes add a layer of bureaucracy that could be streamlined for better efficiency.
Advice to Management: Consider streamlining some of the internal approval processes to enhance efficiency and review promotion timelines to ensure faster career progression for high-performing individuals.
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What kind of background checks does OCBC conduct for new hires in Singapore's financial services sector?
OCBC performs thorough background checks, including employment history verification and reference checks, to ensure suitability for roles within their large banking institution.
How does OCBC support remote collaboration for its employees in Singapore, especially for roles in tech and finance?
OCBC utilizes various digital tools and platforms to ensure seamless remote collaboration for its employees across different departments in Singapore. We have regular virtual team huddles and use shared project management software which makes working together effectively from home feel very natural.
What is the performance review process like at OCBC Bank in Singapore?
At OCBC, performance reviews typically happen annually, focusing on goal achievement and skills development. It's a structured process where feedback is shared to support career growth within the large financial institution.
What's the typical offer timeline after interviewing for a tech role at OCBC?
For the software engineer role I applied for at OCBC in Singapore, the offer came about 2 weeks after my final interview with the hiring manager, which felt like a reasonable timeframe for a large financial institution.
What's the performance review process like at OCBC Bank in Singapore for a graduate in a tech role?
As a graduate in a tech role at OCBC Singapore, I found the performance review process to be quite structured, with regular check-ins and a formal annual review focusing on both technical skills and team collaboration.
How does OCBC's strategy align with the evolving financial services landscape in Singapore?
OCBC's strategy, as I understand it, focuses heavily on digital transformation and sustainable finance, which I find crucial for a leading bank in Singapore's competitive market.
How does OCBC handle disagreements between colleagues in their Singapore offices?
In my experience at OCBC, conflicts are usually addressed through open communication and mediation by team leads. The bank encourages a collaborative environment, especially for roles in technology and finance, to resolve issues constructively.
What interview formats does OCBC Bank use for roles in Singapore?
For roles at OCBC Bank in Singapore, I experienced a mix of behavioral and technical interviews, with some senior positions involving panel interviews to assess a broad range of skills for the banking industry.
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