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Through open communication, employee recognition, and future-focused development, OCBC is creating a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and equipped to thrive.
This article is brought to you by OCBC Hong Kong.
In an increasingly competitive banking landscape, attracting, engaging, and developing talent has become just as important as serving customers. The challenge has been amplified by rapid digital transformation, intense competition for technology talent, evolving employee expectations, and the growing need for cross-border capabilities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Rather than addressing these challenges with standalone initiatives, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“OCBC Hong Kong”) has adopted a holistic ‘People First Strategy’ centred on employee connection, capability development, recognition, communication, leadership, wellbeing, and employer branding.
At the core of this approach is a simple principle: listening and acting with purpose.
This people-first approach has been validated at the recent Employee Experience Awards 2026, where OCBC Hong Kong took home two gold and one silver awards.
Further underscoring its commitment to employee experience, the Bank was also named one of the Triple Crown of Employee Excellence winners.
Turning employee insights into meaningful action
A key strength of OCBC Hong Kong’s people strategy is its commitment to understanding employees' evolving needs through a structured listening framework. The bank combines annual engagement surveys, regular pulse surveys, and employee lifecycle surveys to track trends and gather timely feedback across key moments that matter, enabling leaders to respond quickly to emerging needs and concerns.
Meanwhile, through initiatives such as ‘MindsConnect’, ‘Fireside Chats’, townhalls, and multiple divisional listening channels, employees can engage with senior leaders directly, share perspectives, and contribute ideas in an open and trusting environment.
Importantly, the organisation focuses not only on collecting feedback, but also on closing the loop through tangible action to foster trust, transparency, and inclusiveness across the organisation.
Recognising employees’ contributions is equally important. To reinforce a culture of appreciation, OCBC Hong Kong has introduced ‘Staff Appreciation Week – From Aspiration to Appreciation’, where leaders personally thank employees through recognition activities and engagement events.
Other initiatives such as ‘OCBC Praise’, ‘PVA Awards’, and ‘Spot-On Awards’ further celebrate individual and team achievements while reinforcing the Bank's values and collaborative culture.
Building capabilities for the future
Alongside employee engagement, OCBC Hong Kong places equal emphasis on continuous learning and future-focused development.
One flagship initiative is the ‘GBA Immersion Programme’, designed to develop GBA-ready, AI-enabled talent through three pillars: immersion, integration, and impact.
Through the four-month capability-building experience, participants gain first-hand exposure to GBA market dynamics, cross-border opportunities, digital innovation, and leadership perspectives through company visits in Mainland China, executive engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
These immersive learning experiences are complemented by the Bank’s efforts to strengthen digital confidence across its workforce. Focused on AI, digital, and data (ADD), OCBC Hong Kong has introduced initiatives such as ‘ADD Learning Day’ and offers more than a thousand learning programmes. Together, these initiatives support the Bank’s broader 'Asia Shift ', 'Tech Shift ', 'Franchise Shift ', and 'Net-Zero Shift' strategies.
Creating a workplace where employees can thrive
Beyond listening, recognition, and development, OCBC Hong Kong is also committed to investing in initiatives that support employees throughout their career journeys. With digital tools that simplify day-to-day work, flexible benefits, wellbeing initiatives, diverse leave arrangements, and meaningful CSR events, the Bank strives to create a workplace where employees feel supported today while being empowered for tomorrow.
Looking ahead, OCBC Hong Kong remains focused on enhancing employee experiences, fostering a culture of respect and appreciation, strengthening regional talent mobility, building future-ready capabilities, and deepening its focus on AI, digital, and data. Through these efforts, the Bank aims to future-proof its workforce and prepare employees for the future of banking.
As Cindy Leung, Managing Director, Head of Human Resources, Hong Kong & Macau, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) (pictured below), emphasises: “To build the bank we need for the future we want, we start with our people – listening deeply, acting with purpose and empowering them to thrive in a changing world.”
Photos / OCBC Hong Kong
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices – head over to our Behind the Win section!
Ready to be the next winning stars? Join our upcoming HR Excellence Awards to highlight your HR success, or enter the HR Vendors of the Year Awards to showcase your impact on clients’ talent strategies. Reach out to Gloria Yam to learn how you can enter the Awards and stand a chance to win.
We’re also inviting senior HR professionals to join our esteemed panel of judges. If you’re passionate about recognising excellence and shaping the future of the industry, contact Selina Kwok to explore judging opportunities.
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