OCBC Hong Kong builds executive coaching pool for staff

The bank targets 100 certified coaches across the group by end-2027.

OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd. is giving employees direct access to senior bankers for career coaching, with executives undergoing international certification before joining the bank’s internal coaching pool.

“We see the importance of having our key leaders build their capability to shape the culture… from the top, as well as cultivate a skill-first workplace,” Cindy Leung, head of human resources at OCBC Bank, told Asian Banking & Finance in a Microsoft Teams call.

Employees can apply for a coach based on their development needs and goals, with OCBC approving each match after assessing the fit between the coach and employee.

The bank’s coaching pool consists of managing directors and executive directors. Mentors must complete certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) to become associate certified coaches.

Hong Kong enrolled 11 executive and managing director-level bankers in the program in May. Participants will complete 60 hours of coaching education, 100 hours of coaching practice, and 10 hours of “mental coaching” before taking an ICF credential exam, Leung said.

The training is divided into three modules over the year, letting participants balance training with their regular work. Participation is voluntary and self-enrolled, she said.

Once certified, coaches will be listed on an internal dashboard accessible to employees. Junior employees will get at least three one-on-one sessions over three to six months.

The program forms part of OCBC Group’s Coaching for Growth program, which began in September 2025 and expanded to Hong Kong and Malaysia in April 2026. OCBC Group aims to have 100 ICF-certified coaches by the end of 2027.

Leung said the bank plans to launch its second Hong Kong cohort in early to mid-2027, again targeting senior leaders.

She said the coaching program also supports efforts to prepare employees for an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven workplace.

OCBC Hong Kong separately held an AI, digital, and data (ADD) learning day attended by more than 700 employees.

“We would very much like to strengthen both our coaching culture and our investment in ADD learning so that our employees have opportunities to upskill and grow and thrive in their careers at OCBC,” Leung said.