The private bank is touting the fruits of its digital investment, capped by the announcement this week of a newly minted C-suite role to drive analytical insight and innovation.

In further efforts to reap a digital bounty across the business, Bank of Singapore has created the new post of chief data and innovation officer. Former AXA insurance executive Celine Le Cotonnec will take on the role, reporting to CEO Bahren Shaari, where she will be in charge of “unlocking new opportunities” in the bank’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. The new position will focus on combining data analytics and new technology to “build deeper relationships” with clients and shore up business efficiency, the bank said.

The private banking arm of OCBC, serving high net worth clients in the region, reckons that its application of data, AI and machine learning in processes such as client risk and onboarding has already delivered time-saving of over 40 per cent, freeing up advisors for higher value activities. As a market, Asia is seeing some of the most aggressive growth and technology adoption rates of any region, with many fintechs using the market to pilot new client experiences.

At the Singapore based bank, Le Cotonnec will also drive momentum as head of its innovation unit. She joins from AXA Insurance Singapore, where she had a similar data role, using analytics and artificial intelligence to develop new customer experiences and find new revenue streams. She was also active forging partnerships with fintechs and large tech providers to develop new insurance products, the bank said.

Her career spans more than 15 years working in business transformation and data analytics roles in Asia. Before AXA, she was in the keenly-watched auto space as head of connected services, digital and mobility for French car producer PSA Peugeot Citroen in Shanghai.

Bank of Singapore CEO Bahren described ongoing digital efforts as “integral” to corporate strategy. “It is for our clients and for our employees. That is why we have, over the past few years, invested extensively in this area in order to keep our clients’ needs at the heart of our digital transformation.”

The bank also announced this week that it has created a new senior role to deepen its wealth and investment planning for the Greater China region. In November 2019 BoS appointed Hani Al Nabulsi as head of global investor and family office business in its branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre. In August it appointed former Credit Suisse senior figure Kelvin Teo as head of bespoke investments for Greater China and North Asia.