Our Corporate Milestones

Current - 2001

2010
- UOB increased its stake in Evergrowing Bank to 12.06% following a rights issue.
- Bank Indonesia approved the merger of PT Bank UOB Indonesia into PT Bank UOB Buana. PT Bank UOB Buana became the surviving entity and PT Bank UOB Indonesia was dissolved by the operation of law.
- UOB and Prudential Corporation Asia (Prudential) announced an alliance to grow their bancassurance business in Asia. In conjunction with the bancassurance alliance, UOB sold its subsidiary, UOB Life Assurance Limited (UOB Life), to Prudential.
2009
- In China, UOB opened a branch in Tianjin and a sub-branch in Beijing. To date, UOB (China)’s network comprises 10 branches and sub-branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chengdu, Shenyang and Tianjin.
- UOB Mumbai Branch, UOB’s maiden branch in India, commenced business on 29 December 2009.
- In Singapore, UOB LITE, the latest addition to UOB’s network of branches, offered an alternative banking outlet for busy executives who have difficulty attending to their banking needs during office hours.
- UOB completed its core product line-up with the launched of UOB PRVI American Express® Card. Under its stable of card brands, the Bank has American Express, CUP, JCB, MasterCard and Visa.
- UOB launched the Chinese Yuan Cross-Border Trade Settlement Service in Singapore and Malaysia with Chinese Yuan account services offering.
2008
- UOB and China Unionpay ("CUP") signed a landmark agreement to allow millions of Chinese visitors and tourists to use their CUP credit and debit cards to make purchases at participating merchants. This is a first for any Singapore-headquartered bank.
- UOB (China) was incorporated in December 2007 and commenced business in January 2008. It obtained the licence to provide Renminbi banking services to Chinese citizens.
- In China, UOB acquired a 15% stake in Evergrowing Bank Co., Ltd ("Evergrowing Bank").
- In Vietnam, UOB increased its interest in The Southern Commercial Joint Stock Bank from 10% to 15%.
- UOB increased its stake in UOB Buana to almost 99% and de-listed it.
2007
- PT Bank Buana Indonesia Tbk renamed PT Bank UOB Buana Tbk (UOB Buana).
- Mr Wee Ee Cheong succeeded Mr Wee Cho Yaw, as CEO of the UOB Group. Mr Wee Cho Yaw remains Group Chairman.
- UOB received approval from the China Banking Regulatory Commission to incorporate United Overseas Bank (China) Limited ("UOB (China)").
- In Vietnam, UOB completed the acquisition of a 10% equity stake in The Southern Commercial Joint Stock Bank.
2006
- UOB broke new ground in Vietnam by becoming the first foreign bank to be part of a domestic card network. UOB sealed the agreement to be a member of the Vietnam Bank Card (VNBC) network.
2005
- UOB increased its shareholding in PT Bank Buana from 23% to a controlling stake of 53% in October 2005, followed by a further increase to 61.1% as at end of 2005 after a mandatory tender offer.
- UOB completed the integration of its two Thai banking subsidiaries, Bank of Asia and UOB Radanasin Bank, and established United Overseas Bank (Thai).
- UOB converted its subsidiary, United Overseas Bank Philippines, into a thrift bank.
2004
- UOB acquired 23% shareholding of PT Bank Buana Tbk in Indonesia.
- UOB acquired 80.8% shareholding of Bank of Asia Public Company Limited (“BOA”) in Thailand, and increased its shareholding to 96.1% after a mandatory tender offer.
2002
- UOB acquired 100% shareholding of ICB.
2001
- UOB acquired 100% shareholding in Overseas Union Bank Limited (OUB).

1999 - 1975

1999
- UOB acquired a majority interest in Westmont Bank, Philippines and the bank was renamed United Overseas Bank Philippines.
- UOB acquired a majority interest in Radanasin Bank, Thailand and the bank was renamed UOB Radanasin Bank Public Company Limited.
1995
- UOB celebrated 60 years of banking in Singapore.
- Singapore's Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, officially opened UOB Plaza, the Bank's new headquarters building at 80 Raffles Place.
1988
- CKB became a wholly-owned banking subsidiary of UOB.
1987
- UOB acquired a majority interest in Industrial & Commercial Bank Limited (ICB).
1984
- UOB acquired a majority interest in Far Eastern Bank Limited (FEB).

1974 - 1935

1974
- Mr Wee Cho Yaw succeeded Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang, as Chairman of the UOB Group.
- UOB moved into its new 30-storey UOB Building at 1 Bonham Street.
1973
- UOB acquired 100% shareholding in Lee Wah Bank Limited and its branch network in Singapore and Malaysia.
1971
- UOB acquired a majority interest in Chung Khiaw Bank Limited (CKB) and its branch network in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
- UOB introduced its distinctive red five-barred logo that is derived from the traditional Chinese 'five-barred gate' system of counting in fives.
1970
- UOB obtained a listing on the then Joint Stock Exchange of Singapore and Malaysia.
1965
- UCB changed its name to United Overseas Bank (UOB).
- UOB opened its first overseas branch in Hong Kong.
1935
- Sarawak-born Datuk Wee Kheng Chiang, founded the United Chinese Bank (UCB) together with six other Chinese businessmen. UCB's paid-up capital was a modest Straits $1 million.