HSBC has appointed Kai Zhang as head of Wealth and Personal Banking (WPB), in South Asia, effective June 26.

Based in Singapore, Kai will be responsible for accelerating WPB’s expansion in South Asia, where HSBC has been investing to scale its capabilities across transactional banking and wealth, private banking, insurance, and asset management. She will also focus on deepening the connectivity between WPB in South Asia and the Bank’s wholesale banking franchises and global network.

Kai will report to Nuno Matos, Chief Executive Officer, WPB, and Surendra Rosha, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific.

Kai is joining HSBC from Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Company where she has served as chief executive officer and general manager since 2016. 

Kai brings with her over 25 years of financial services experience in North America and Asia where she has held leadership roles at Citigroup and McKinsey & Company, with a proven track record of driving growth, leading customer advocacy and digital transformation, and building winning teams.

“Kai’s extensive experience and track record of delivery make her the ideal person to drive our growth agenda in South Asia. The region’s economic dynamism and demographic profile are fuelling wealth creation and uplifting communities, providing long-term opportunities that are squarely within our reach. It’s an exciting time to grow with our customers in these markets, and we’re committed to deepening our investments in the region,” said Nuno Matos.