Head of Retail Banking - international bank

Important points to note:

1. You must have significant experience in the Hong Kong retail-banking sector – with a preference for a focus on U/HNW clients.
2. You must be fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
3. This will be a SVP level position.
4. You must have a good understanding of both traditional and digital retail banking platforms

The Mandate:

This is a rare opportunity to architect and launch a local and, potentially, regional retail banking arm from scratch, targeting ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) clients across both traditional private banking and next-generation digital channels.

Our client already has significant reach in the commercial banking sector in Hong Kong and China and you will be expected to leverage those relationships as part of your client acquisition strategy.

You will own the full P&L, product roadmap, and go-to-market strategy and have full accountability for revenue, cost base, risk-adjusted returns, and client acquisition targets

You will define:

1. The operating model and organisational structure
2. The technology stack (core banking, digital front-end, CRM, data platform)
3. The client segmentation framework and value proposition
4. The product suite across deposits, lending, investments, and advisory

Build a relationship-led retail banking offering with dedicated RMs, tailored credit, and bespoke advisory.

Design, or adopt, a scalable, app-first wealth experience for the next generation of HNW clients — intuitive onboarding, real-time portfolio analytics, and AI-driven insights

Build a lean, high-performance team — quality over headcount

Establish the compliance, AML/KYC, and risk management frameworks from day one and navigate local regulatory requirements

Embed a strong control culture without compromising client experience or speed to market

Define how the bank shows up in the U/HNW space — positioning, partnerships, and client trust

Lead senior-level relationship building with intermediaries, family offices, and wealth advisors

Requirements:

1. 15+ years in retail or private banking, with at least 5 years in a P&L-leading role
2. Proven track record of building or scaling a U/HNW banking business.
3. Expertise across both traditional relationship banking and digital wealth platforms
4. Leadership style: hands-on, low-ego, able to attract top talent without a big-brand logo behind you.
5. Languages: Fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin are required.