Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Malaysia Berhad (SMBC Malaysia) has appointed veteran banker Wendy Ooi as Head of Corporate Banking Department, effective June 16, 2025, as the bank intensifies efforts to expand its corporate banking franchise across Asia Pacific.
Ooi will be based in Malaysia and report jointly to Nizar Faisal, Deputy CEO of SMBC Malaysia, and Joyce Tee, who was recently named Head of Corporate Banking Department for Asia Pacific.
The leadership transition underscores SMBC’s strategy to strengthen its non-Japanese corporate client base and broaden its institutional coverage in key regional markets.
With more than 20 years of experience in corporate and investment banking, Ooi brings deep sector knowledge and client relationship expertise to the role.
She previously led the Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking business at Standard Chartered Malaysia. Her earlier stints included leadership roles at The Royal Bank of Scotland and RHB Bank, where she began her banking career.
Her appointment comes as SMBC accelerates its growth strategy in Malaysia, aiming to deepen relationships with global and regional corporates through enhanced client coverage and capital allocation.
Ooi will be responsible for driving business development with multinational and local corporates, and aligning SMBC Malaysia’s offerings with broader group capabilities.
The move is part of a broader transformation within SMBC’s corporate banking division in Asia Pacific, where the bank is seeking to boost efficiency and scale in competitive markets.
Ooi’s client-focused approach and experience with complex cross-border deals are expected to play a central role in expanding SMBC’s presence in the region’s wholesale banking segment.
SMBC Malaysia, a fully licensed banking subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, has operated under a full banking license issued by Bank Negara Malaysia since 2011.
The bank specializes in wholesale and institutional banking services, supporting a range of multinational and large corporate clients across Southeast Asia.
Business News Asia