Swiss banking giant UBS has opened its largest Asia Pacific office in Singapore, alongside the announcement of two new tech-related initiatives. 

UBS officially opened its Singapore office at 9 Penang Road yesterday in a ceremony that featured chairman Axel Weber, global chief executive Ralph Hamers, APAC CEO Edmund Koh and more.

Fully running on renewable energy, the 400,000 square feet of prime property will be the Swiss bank’s largest office in the Asia Pacific region. 

Tech Initiatives

Accompanying the office launch was the introduction of two new tech initiatives: TechConnect SEA and UBS Circle One. 

TechConnect SEA is an ecosystem that aims to connect and grow Southeast Asia’s next generation of unicorns. 

The bank is also piloting its UBS Circle One app which will connect investors to ideas on a global ecosystem.

Singapore Talent

Also in attendance at the event was Singapore’s Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong who lauded UBS’ efforts in the city-state especially with regards to talent development.  

«UBS has come a long way, starting out with a handful of professionals in 1970 and growing to employing over 3,000 staff in the Wealth Management, Investment Banking and Asset Management businesses today,» Wong said on a social media post.

«It has remained committed to building up Singapore’s local talent pool, while deepening the capabilities and expertise of the industry in meaningful areas such as innovation, philanthropy, and sustainable investing.»