The UBS Client Experience

An Interview with Amy Lo, Managing Director, Regional Manager, Hong Kong, UBS , UBS AG

Would you provide an overview of UBS’s cur- Kong are also served by country teams based rent business in Hong Kong and the range in other international locations. Our approach of services that you offer in the market? seeks to deliver service of a consistent qual- UBS was the first privateS wiss to es- ity and to develop long-term relationships. Our tablish a presence in Asia and has operated in Swiss banking tradition also provides comfort to the region for more than 40 years. UBS Wealth those clients focused on confidentiality. Management has been established in Hong Kong How close is the coordination from since 1964; Hong Kong is a major booking cen- region to region within UBS, and are your ter for UBS in the region. We aim to ensure that services seamless on a global basis? our clients have access to the highest-quality Universally we have one objective: to help products. In addition to UBS’s wide product of- our clients reach their financial goals. Today’s fering, the in-depth analysis and rigorous selec- financial world is virtually borderless and best tion processes of our open architecture platform practice can be implemented globally. For exam- direct our clients to a comprehensive portfolio ple, UBS Wealth Management Research provides of best-of-breed financial solutions. clients, regardless of location, with access to a Central to our approach is the “UBS Client network of analysts and strategists who identify Experience,” which is based on the premise the trends and events affecting the global and that wealth management is not about products local markets. This sophisticated infrastructure but about advice. The UBS Client Experience is capable of delivering accurate and timely ad- Amy Lo is delivered through a four-step advisory pro- vice and is a powerful advantage. cess whereby we listen to our clients to gain a How important is diversity in the work- Editors’ Note Amy Lo joined UBS in 1995 thorough understanding of their needs before force for UBS, and have you found strong and held a number of management positions structuring customized solutions. UBS Wealth opportunities for women at leadership lev- including Head of Business Management, Management seeks to differentiate itself through els in the industry? Deputy Booking Centre Head and Chief of the quality of its advice – an approach that con- UBS takes pride in its inclusive culture and Staff. She was named Hong Kong Country trasts with that of some providers who focus on its extremely diverse labor force, and is com- Team Head in 1998. In 2003, she became short-term profits. mitted to creating an environment that allows Deputy Regional Market Manager, Greater Have you been happy with the strength everyone to develop personally and profession- China. Prior to joining UBS, she was the Hong of the business in Hong Kong, and what ally. We have also been very much involved in Kong Team Manager, Senior Relationship is your outlook for growth for UBS in the disability hiring. Manager, and a Branch Manager at Chase market? Opportunities for women to attain senior Manhattan Bank. Lo received her BA from I am very proud of what we have achieved positions at UBS are strong. For example, the the University of Hong Kong and attended in Hong Kong. We enjoy a leading market posi- head of Wealth Management Asia Pacific is a the Senior Executive Program at the London tion as the territory’s largest wealth manager and woman. Seven out of 16 members of the UBS Business School. are consistently named the best by Wealth Management Asia Pacific Business the financial media.D riven by robust economic Committee are women. Company Brief One of the largest in­ growth and growing affluence in Asia, Hong How much of a focus is community in- vestment managers in the world, Zurich- Kong will continue to be an important regional volvement for UBS in Hong Kong, and how based UBS AG (www.­.com) has offices in financial hub.I ts political and economic stability do you engage your employees in these 50 nations, primarily in Europe and North make it an ideal private banking center. efforts? America, and provides in UBS operates in a competitive market- Corporate social responsibility is a core three major segments: global wealth man­ place. How do you differentiate UBS from value for UBS worldwide and we invest in agement and business banking, investment its competitors and define what makes the the communities in which we operate. In Asia banking, and global asset management. The brand unique in Hong Kong? Pacific, we have put in place a professionally firm offers mutual funds, asset management, Our competitive strengths lie in the fact managed program which involves both financial , and estate planning ser­ that wealth management is a core business for support and employee volunteerism. Our focus vices to institutional investors and high-net- UBS and one in which it invests for the long- is on local nonprofit organizations working in worth individuals. UBS Investment Bank term. The wealth management business is sup- the area of empowerment through education. provides securities underwriting, mergers ported by our integrated business model that In Hong Kong, the signature program is and acquisitions advice, fixed-income prod­ draws on the strengths and expertise of all UBS “Reading Angels,” where employees spend a ucts, and foreign exchange. Employing more business groups. Client advisers are organized number of lunch hours over a number of months than 80,000 people, the company also pro­ in country teams to ensure strong market focus reading in English with primary school children vides traditional banking services in its home and in-depth local expertise and knowledge. who otherwise would have scant opportunity to country of Switzerland. But it’s important to note that clients in Hong speak and read in English.• volume 31, number 2 posted with permission. copyright © leaders magazine, inc. Leaders 151