Bank of Singapore has named Lim Leong Guan as its new head of private banking in the Middle East, signalling a serious push into the region as Dubai cements its status as a global wealth hub.
Lim takes on the role of Head of Private Banking for the Middle East, South Asia and International from 1 July 2026.
He will also serve as Chief Executive of the bank’s Dubai International Financial Centre branch, subject to regulatory approval.
Lim brings 35 years of private banking experience to the role. He joined Bank of Singapore in 2020, having previously spent 25 years at UBS Wealth Management where he held senior roles including Asia Pacific Head of Wealth Planning.
In his most recent position at Bank of Singapore, he served as Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, Family Office and Wealth Advisory. Under his leadership, assets under management in the financial intermediaries segment more than doubled in two years.
The appointment is part of Bank of Singapore’s broader target to grow its global ultra-high-net-worth assets under management by 30% by 2028.
The timing is deliberate. According to Capgemini’s World Wealth Report 2026, the ultra-high-net-worth population grew by 9.4% in 2025, making it the fastest-growing wealth segment for the second year running.
Dubai sits at the centre of that growth story, and Bank of Singapore is positioning the city as a strategic hub alongside Singapore and Hong Kong.
“Appointing him to lead the Dubai team underscores its importance as a key hub alongside Singapore and Hong Kong,” said Jason Moo, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Singapore.
Lim will work alongside Rickie Chan, who leads Greater China and North Asia, and Vi Sun Yang, the incoming Head of Private Banking for ASEAN, as the bank pushes its UHNW strategy across its core markets.
And with Lim moving into his new regional role, Annabelle Chow steps up to lead the financial intermediaries business globally.
Chow joined Bank of Singapore in 2016 and has overseen a tripling of the intermediaries team across Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai. She brings 20 years of private banking experience and previously helped set up intermediary desks across Asia at Credit Suisse.
By
Sam Reid
