UOB holds sombre memorial for former CEO and chairman Wee Cho Yaw

SINGAPORE: Around 500 UOB employees and members of the public attended a memorial for former chairman and CEO Mr Wee Cho Yaw on Wednesday (Feb 7).

Dressed mostly in black and white, the crowd filled the atrium and steps of UOB Plaza 1 as early as 2.20pm to wait for the arrival of the hearse. More people also lined the street in front of OneRafflesPlace, across the road from UOB Plaza.

Instrumental music played in the background, and the crowd fell quiet when an emcee announced that the late Mr Wee’s cortege would be arriving soon. Some staff members took photos and videos as the funeral procession comprising the hearse, minivans and several Toyota Alphards reached the building slightly past 3pm.

Mr Wee’s five children, including eldest son and current UOB chief executive Mr Wee Ee Cheong, stood on a small platform facing staff members. Some of his children looked visibly emotional, and one of his sons wiped his eyes a few times.

On behalf of the family, the funeral director thanked attendees for their support and asked the crowd to observe a moment of silence before leading everyone to bow three times. The family then bowed to UOB staff before returning to their vehicles to head to Mandai crematorium.

Mr Wee, one of Southeast Asia's most successful businessmen, died on Saturday at the age of 95. He retired from UOB’s board in 2018 after more than 60 years with the company.

UOB is Singapore's third-largest bank by market cap. Mr Wee had stayed on as its Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Adviser after retiring from the board.

UOB's head of enterprise banking Rosalind Lee said she felt very sad for the family and could empathise with them as her own mother died last month.

"Dr Wee is somebody that I admire, so it's really a loss ... somebody who is very, very precious," she said.

Ms Lee started her career at OUB in 1983, and moved over to UOB when the bank bought over OUB in 2001. The first time she met Mr Wee was at a Chinese New Year event.

"I went forward and I wanted to introduce myself, but he said 'You are Rosalind Lee, you came from OUB'," she said.

"I was really taken aback and pleasantly surprised. To me, Dr Wee is very personable and he is really not somebody you should fear."

She said he was understanding and supportive of his employees. "If we can gain his trust ... he will say things like, because of you, that's why I made that decision. He trusts people who work with him."

She also described him as a "guiding angel" in the banking industry who was very sharp and would give guidance on whether to be more aggressive or careful depending on market conditions.

But Mr Wee also told staff not to be afraid to make mistakes, said Mr Tham Chong Pong, head of sales governance and quality at personal financial services in UOB.

"He will want you to learn from your mistake and don't repeat it again. That's ... how tolerant he is to his staff."

Mr Wee also wanted his employees to be grateful to those who mentor them and guide them. 

"After that, you have to give a helping hand to those people who are in need," he said. 

Mr Tham, who has worked for UOB for 36 years, described Mr Wee's death as a very big loss. "(He) will be missed by every one of us."