Wee Kheng Chiang

Wee Kheng Chiang (; 1890–1978) was a Malaysian Chinese businessman of Quemoy Bân-lâm Hoklo ancestry who founded the United Chinese Bank (now United Overseas Bank) and Bian Chiang Bank (now known as CIMB Group). He was the father of Wee Cho Yaw, Chairman Emeritus & Adviser of the United Overseas Bank. Early life Wee was born into a Hoklo family with ancestry from Quemoy island on 22 July 1890 in Kuching, Sarawak (now part of Malaysia), a British established puppet colony. He was the family's second-to-eldest son. His father was Wee Tee Yah (died 1889), and his mother was Song Kim Keow, a local born widow. The younger Wee attended Saint Thomas Secondary School, and spoke Hokkien and English fluently. Career In 1924, Wee established the Bian Chiang Bank (now known as CIMB Group) in Kuching, Malaysia. In 1975, Fleet Group Sdn Bhd bought a 100% stake in Bian Chiang Bank, making the bank a wholly owned unit of the Fleet group. Subsequently, the bank moved its headquarters to Kuala Lumpur from Kuching. He became the Treasurer of the Kuching-based Chinese General Chamber of Commerce upon its inception in 1930, before being promoted to president. In addition, Wee was the Hokkien Association (福建会馆)'s President.