Uplifting Skills,
Upbuilding Talent

Gaining Growth and Perspective Through International Posting

In the world of banking, technical expertise is only the starting point for a successful career. To truly excel, one must also master the art of navigating different workplace cultures and local regulatory landscapes with finesse. And having a good grasp of technical knowledge is only half the battle. The other half is the ability to understand nuances of a new market, and communicate effectively within it.

At Deutsche Bank, global experience is a powerful catalyst for growth. By supporting international mobility through the IBF-backed International Postings Programme (iPOST), the bank empowers Singaporean talent to broaden perspectives, build confidence in diverse markets, and develop regional capabilities needed to thrive in an interconnected financial world. These overseas experiences shape professionals who return with deeper insight, stronger leadership capability, and a renewed sense of purpose in contributing to the region’s financial ecosystem.

For Julian Antony, who works in the APAC Trade Finance and Lending division at Deutsche Bank, iPOST provided a valuable platform to advance his leadership capabilities while gaining first-hand exposure to a key regional market.

Seeking the Strategic Challenge

While based in Singapore, Julian recognised that to excel in his role, he needed a deeper understanding of strategic markets such as South Korea.

"I wanted to challenge myself by being placed in a new environment and gain exposure to a strategic market," Julian explains. With the backing of his senior management and human resources division, he embarked on an iPOST assignment to South Korea in 2024.

Learning Beyond Borders

Working in South Korea presented unique challenges, from language barriers to distinct local business practices. During the posting, Julian worked on the ground in a fast-moving environment, collaborating directly with local team members and international clients. To succeed, Julian’s approach was one of proactive observation and adaptation. "I overcame these barriers by proactively learning local business norms, observing communication styles, and adapting my approach to be more structured, respectful of customs, and context‑driven," he notes. By staying open to feedback and showing consistent patience, he was able to build the trust necessary for effective collaboration.

The breakthrough moment came during a complex cross-border transaction where both the Singapore and South Korean teams aligned seamlessly on structuring and documentation despite different working styles. "It reinforced how mutual respect and shared objectives can transcend cultural differences and drive strong outcomes," Julian recalls.

A pivotal part of the iPOST experience is the access to senior leadership in the host country. Julian found a mentor in a senior Korean colleague who balanced technical expertise with deep cultural sensitivity.

This mentorship challenged Julian’s assumptions and pushed him to think more strategically. He was encouraged to look beyond the immediate transaction to see how senior bankers balance local nuances with global priorities. This perspective has fundamentally changed how Julian operates back in his regional role today.

Through the iPOST programme, Julian has not only strengthened his industry knowledge, but also laid a strong foundation for a long-term career in trade finance across the region.

Looking Ahead

Julian’s aspirations are set on the regional stage. "My aspiration is to build a long‑term career in structured trade and working capital solutions, where I can contribute at a regional level by delivering innovative, cross‑border financing solutions for clients across APAC. Over time, I aim to develop into a trusted product and structuring specialist who can bridge local market nuances with global banking capabilities while mentoring junior talent."

For other finance professionals considering a similar leap to overseas posting, Julian’s advice is to embrace the unknown and recognise that the greatest growth often happens when you are far from home.

The International Postings Programme (iPOST) is a talent development initiative, to increase opportunities for Singaporeans to be groomed through overseas postings to build international capabilities. Find out more about IPOST here.

Reinventing and Reshaping His Career with Professional Support

In the world of financial crime compliance, stability is often measured by the strength of one’s track record. For Bobby Tan, however, that stability was shaken by an unexpected corporate restructuring. Suddenly, a seasoned leader with deep regulatory experience found himself at a crossroads.

Bobby’s record was impeccable. With nearly eight years at UBS leading large regional AML (Anti-Money Laundering) teams across Singapore, Hong Kong, India, and Japan, Bobby’s professional identity was deeply rooted in operational leadership.

However, the corporate landscape shifted unexpectedly in early 2025. A major restructuring meant that his long-standing role was impacted, forcing a sudden and daunting pause in a career that had only ever moved forward.

"It was a moment that shook the stability I had always associated with my career path," Bobby admits. "Despite my experience, I felt lost in a competitive job market after a sudden disruption."

At a Crossroads

The months following the restructuring were a period of profound reflection.

Despite a decade of navigating high-stakes regulatory frameworks and leading regional teams of up to 50 professionals, Bobby found himself at a daunting crossroads. He was certain that his future remained in financial crime compliance, yet he felt increasingly sidelined in a hyper-competitive market that seemed to demand a different kind of 'pitch.'

It was during this half-year journey of navigating the unknown that Bobby signed up for a career advisory session with IBF Careers Connect. His career adviser, Sherlyn Soh, provided the outside-in perspective he needed to stop looking backward at what was lost and start looking forward at his untapped potential.

The Bridge to Clarity

While many view career advisory as a functional service for job seekers, Bobby’s experience proved it is a vital pillar for mid-career professionals navigating difficult transitions. The career coaching sessions provided more than just practical tips; they offered a space for deep reflection.

"My adviser showed empathy, industry awareness, and a genuine commitment to align my strengths with evolving market needs," Bobby explains. "She helped me connect my leadership in AML operations and regional stakeholder management into a coherent value proposition."

Crossing Industries from Banking to Insurance

Joining Manulife marked Bobby’s first career step outside of global banking - a move that required him to translate years of banking-specific financial crime expertise into the nuances of the insurance sector. While the core principles of compliance remain, the operational landscape differs. To bridge this gap, Bobby has adopted an agile learning attitude, refusing to rest on his laurels despite his seniority.

He is currently focused on deepening his knowledge across the end-to-end insurance business, including product design, distribution channels, underwriting practices, claims processes, and customer experience. Bobby recognises that this broader understanding is essential to "drive more impactful and relevant compliance transformation" in his new environment.

His current mandate is clear: to make compliance processes "easier, better, and faster." "I chose Manulife because it offered a clear mandate to modernise compliance," he says. "I’m now focused on looking end-to-end across our workflows to identify what can be simplified or automated to strengthen governance."

Advancing His Skills with Purpose

Following the advice of his career adviser to remain future-focused and outcome-driven, Bobby has fully taken charge of his career trajectory at Manulife. Bobby is now developing his capabilities in data analytics and visualisation to enable predictive reporting and better risk management. By bridging his deep AML background with RegTech solutions - including automation, AI-enabled monitoring, and next-generation workflow platforms - he has gained renewed confidence to chart the next phase of his career.

Tapping on his rich experience in banking, Bobby is also focused on deepening his expertise across the full spectrum of the insurance business - from product design and distribution channels to underwriting, claims, and customer experience. This broader understanding is crucial for driving impactful and relevant compliance transformation at Manulife.

In addition, he is honing his leadership skills to empower his colleagues to think creatively and to challenge assumptions.

The Power of the "Outside-In" Perspective

Reflecting on his journey, Bobby’s advice to other finance professionals is simple: Plug in early.

"A career adviser or mentor brings an 'outside-in' perspective that can uncover blind spots and help you discover your career purpose in ways you may not have considered," he notes. If he could time-travel, Bobby says he would tell his younger self to be bolder in asking for help and to trust the system.

IBF Careers Connect provides career guidance and support to help individuals in developing or transitioning their careers in the financial sector. Find out more about IBF Careers Connect.

Investing in a Sustainable Finance Career

For many finance professionals, the move into a new domain is driven by a desire for a fresh challenge. Jane Kwang is a prime example of this professional evolution. After spending several years with OCBC’s Global Markets Business Process Transformation team, where she built a strong foundation in the treasury market, Jane decided to explore new ground.

Today, she is part of the Sustainability Office within OCBC’s Global Wholesale Banking division. As the leader of the ESG intelligence team, she has moved from refining established market processes to building new systems in a rapidly evolving sector.

Exploring New Ground

Jane’s transition was supported by a workplace environment that encourages employees to expand their horizons. After years in her previous role, she felt the need to apply her project management and analytical skillsets in a new context.

"OCBC has also fostered a culture that supports internal mobility and encourages employees to explore opportunities across the group,” Jane shares. “This gave me the confidence to consider a different path, knowing that career development and cross-functional exposure are genuinely encouraged and valued."

Entering the sustainability space meant stepping into a field that was still being defined in Singapore. Jane explains how this created an atmosphere of collective growth rather than individual competition: "Sustainability at that time was relatively new in Singapore, and that was part of what drew me to it. Even the seniors and my teammates were learning how to navigate it together, which created a unique environment of shared discovery. It wasn’t just about stepping into a new role but stepping into a space where everyone was figuring things out collectively, building frameworks from scratch, and shaping what the work could look like."

Building the Foundation with IBF

While Jane’s growth in sustainable finance was largely driven by hands-on experience, her formal journey began with a curiosity about the financial and strategic implications of one of the industry’s biggest buzzwords – sustainability. This led her to signing up for an IBF-recognised programme, “What has Sustainable Banking got to do with me?”.

The course served as a critical introduction to the world of ESG, helping Jane move beyond the layman’s perspective and gain a richer understanding of how Sustainable Finance directs money toward real-world change by balancing environmental goals with business value.

"Going through the programme was really my first formal step into the world of sustainability. It introduced key concepts like net zero, climate risk, and the broader ESG landscape, which helped me build a basic foundation, and understand the terminology and direction the industry is moving toward."

Developing New Capabilities

In her current role, Jane is focused on driving strategic value by rethinking how data and AI can improve existing processes. She notes that the work requires a forward-thinking mindset and a willingness to explore fresh ideas.

Despite the shift in subject matter, Jane has found that the systematic and analytical mindset she developed in her previous role remains her most valuable asset. This structured approach helps her deliver insights that are both thoughtful and actionable.

IBF-accredited programmes in Sustainable Finance provide the foundational knowledge and technical skills to support professionals transitioning into the growing field of sustainable finance. Find out more here.

Building a Future in AI Through Learning and Innovation

Ashton Low began his banking career through UOB’s AI and Data Analytics Centre of Excellence (AIDA CoE) programme - a flagship talent development initiative supported by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This initiative offers a clear blueprint for how structured, industry-backed programmes equip fresh graduates with real world exposure to thrive in an AI-driven financial sector.

From Theory to the Real World

Like many high-achieving graduates, Ashton entered the workforce with a strong theoretical foundation from the National University of Singapore (NUS). However, he was under no illusions about the jump to a professional setting.

"I was aware that real-life initiatives would present a completely different set of challenges," Ashton shares. "They are often far more unpredictable and complex than what is taught in a classroom."

It was this desire to experience the "dynamic intersection between finance and data science" that led Ashton to UOB. When he came across the job listing on LinkedIn, it immediately stood out: "It caught my attention as it was a graduate tech programme in a bank and furthermore, it was primarily focused on AI and Data Analytics which was my field of study." By joining the IBF-supported AIDA CoE programme, Ashton found a structured pathway to apply his academic specialisation to the complex world of banking.

Structured Learning and Hands-On Projects

One of the hallmarks of the programme is the blend of academic rigour and hands-on application. For Ashton, this means balancing weekly lessons at National University of Singapore-Institute of System Science (NUS-ISS) with a role in UOB’s Wholesale Banking department.

The Human Side of AI

While technical skills – such as prompt engineering and data sourcing – are vital, Ashton emphasises that the most valuable lesson he has learnt through the graduate tech programme is surprisingly non-technical. It is the art of bridging the gap between data and the real world. He has learnt that for a project to succeed, he must think of ideas that provide real business impact beyond meeting technical requirements and delivering solutions.

Ashton has come to realise that technical work is only the beginning. He now places a heavier emphasis on his ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for business units. By ensuring that stakeholders understand the reasons behind the numbers, he can help turn technical projects into real-world benefits for both the bank and its customers.

Ashton believes this ability to translate complex data into a business-relevant language is the ultimate future-proof skill. As he puts it: "In a world where AI/GenAI is changing constantly, I believe that the ability to communicate effectively (bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders) will remain an indispensable skill."

Looking Ahead: A Data-Driven Future

Ashton’s aspirations won’t stop at his graduation in July 2027. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree programme focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs) and Computer Vision, to support his career growth.

His advice for other young professionals looking to join the AIDA programme? Stay curious. "Staying curious is not just limited to new technologies," Ashton says. "It extends to understanding financial processes and terms. That information helps you weave technology and finance together."

Through the support of IBF and UOB’s AIDA CoE, Ashton isn't just watching the digital transformation of banking, he is actively building his skills and capabilities to contribute to the industry.

IBF supports financial institutions to uplift, upskill and upbuild the financial sector workforce to unlock the full potential of AI/GenAI. Find out more about GenAI Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) here.