Wee Kheng Chiang
| Wee Kheng Chiang | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Wee Kheng Chiang 22 July 1890 Kuching, Sarawak, British Empire |
| Died | 1978 (aged 87–88) Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia |
| Nationality |
Malaysian (1963-1978) British (1890-1963) |
| Occupation | Banker Trader |
| Spouse(s) | Ong Siew Eng (1st wife) |
| Children | Wee Siok Hua Wee Hian Teck Puan Sri Wee Bee Siok Wee Hood Teck Wee Cho Yaw |
| Parent(s) | Wee Tee Yah (Father) Song Kim Keow (Mother) |
Dato' Wee Kheng Chiang (simplified Chinese: 黄庆昌; traditional Chinese: 黃慶昌; pinyin: Huáng Qìng Chāng; July 1890 – 1978) was a Singaporean businessman. He was the founder of United Overseas Bank (UOB), formerly known as United Chinese Bank, and the father of Wee Cho Yaw.
Wee was born 22 July 1890 in Kuching, Sarawak (now part of Malaysia). He was the family's second-to-eldest son. His father was Wee Tee Yah (died 1889), a Chinese immigrant, and his mother was Song Kim Keow, a local born widow. The younger Wee attended Saint Thomas Secondary School, and spoke English and Chinese (Hokkien) fluently.
In 1924, Wee established the Bian Chiang Bank (now known as CIMB Group) in Kuching, Malaysia.
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 Fujian Association (福建会馆)'s President.
In 1931, he was elected as Chairman of the Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He resigned from the post in 1946.
On 6 August 1935, he established the United Chinese Bank with six other partners. The bank is now known as the United Overseas Bank (UOB).
The Kapitan Cina Ong Tiang Swee (Chinese: 王長水; pinyin: Wáng Chángshuǐ), who was then Kuching's wealthiest person, was impressed by Wee, and decided to let him marry his eldest daughter, Ong Siew Eng (Chinese: 王秀英; pinyin: Wáng Xiùyīng). Wee was then given the role of manager of the Sarawak Chinese Bank, which Ong owned. Wee soon got to know more prominent businesspeople and other important figures; he shortly started a string of businesses, including farming and goods importing and exporting.
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