United Overseas Bank Reviews

Pros

A lot of hands-on self-learning

Cons

Below average salary however working hours are acceptable

Pros

work life balance for most colleagues
nice colleagues in many divisions

Cons

too many meetings
lack of accountability for non-performance
decision making is rather slow

Advice to Senior Management

be firm with non-performers
be more decisive

Pros

very safe environment, so it's almost alright to make mistakes, small ones of course, and you get to learn from them.

Cons

being such a safe environment, the opportunity to make a mistake is so small that you won't gain much from personal experience

Pros

Work life balance
Generally cooperative co workers
Despite the comments below, the bank has some very good managers in certain functions. They keep a relatively low profile and work for the good of the bank. I wonder if senior management knows of them (instead of allowing for double / rapid promotion by some of the other driftwood functions).

Cons

Many are promoted because their boss likes them, no round table review. Thus, common to come across SVP or Directors who are rather incompetent.
Weak in risk management, compliance and treasury functions.
Not creative.
Senior management at certain functions clearly not motivated to work.

Advice to Senior Management

Be willing to pay for top people.
There are many senior managers and heads od departments that are clearly not delivering. Why are you afraid to fire them?
Reward the good people accordingly.
It might be time to consider changing some of the top guys - like those in charge of your treasury, investments, risk and compliance - they are dragging everybody down.
Perhaps the CEO needs some help.
Chairman better don't die!

Pros

Plenty of time to do your own research and learn. Very forgiving workplace. Great if corporate climbing isn't your thing

Cons

You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave.
Only for the family oriented, uninitiated and those who can't stand staying in the office past 6pm

Advice to Senior Management

Don't let our chairman die. We need him to run this place. Everyone else is driftwood. Hopefully they don't cost the bank too much.

Pros

Good commission for sales personnel
Family oriented bank
Good training platform for starters
Best local bank to work in
Almost one month annual leave
Good medical benefits

Cons

Too short sighted
Area managers lose touch with branch staffs
too much theatrics
Slightly backdated IT software and machines
Sales personnel treated badly by certain group sales manager
Not about how hard you work and how good your performance is. More of whether your bosses likes you or not

Advice to Senior Management

Area managers to connect more with branch staffs

Pros

It is in a convenient location

Cons

The pay is too low

Advice to Senior Management

Relook into the pay of CSA and CSO

Pros

Not very rewarding but it's a gateway for fresh graduates to see the world of banking

Cons

Good mentorship seems to be lacking

Advice to Senior Management

Create more firm mentorship guidelines

Pros

Stable - iron rice bowl
Good annual leave
Ok bonus
Good/sound management

Cons

Bureaucratic
Family-owned -- patriarchial
Slow processes
Low increment
SLow-paced

Advice to Senior Management

Loosen up a bit

Pros

best commission package in similar positions in the industry. good management support. Continuous training.

Cons

working hours could be rather long

Advice to Senior Management

maybe can improve medical benefit