Alan Lee is awarded Best Bank CEO in Taiwan for driving balanced business development, digital innovation and sustainable strategies. Cathay United Bank is recognised as the Best Managed Bank in Taiwan for operational strength, digital transformation and robust financial performance. He prioritises talent development and inclusion, equipping employees with digital skills and a sustainability mindset, creating long-term value for customers and shareholders. Taipei, 18 September 2025 – Alan Lee, former president of Cathay United Bank and current chairman of Cathay Securities Investment Trust, receives the Best Bank CEO in Taiwan award from TAB Global for guiding the bank through industry challenges, advancing digital innovation, empowering talent and embedding sustainability into its strategy. Under his leadership, Cathay United Bank is also recognised as the Best Managed Bank in Taiwan. Lee pursued balanced business development with a focus on long-term growth, fostering diversified operations and integrating profitability with sustainability. He led the bank through a rapidly evolving financial environment with resilience and innovation. By driving digital transformation, developing future-ready talent, optimising business structures, leveraging data-driven insights and introducing innovative products, he enhanced efficiency, reinforced the bank’s market position and addressed customer needs, delivering long-term value for customers, shareholders and society. Navigating financial performance and strategic challenges He steered the bank through stricter regulations, rising competition and higher operating costs by restructuring operations and improving capital efficiency. This resulted in steady balance sheet growth, continuous revenue increases, improved return on equity (ROE) and stable asset quality. The bank also increased its fee income ratio, reflecting enhanced service value and more effective capital allocation. When major co-branded credit card partnerships ended, he launched the CUBE Card, allowing customers to access multiple reward programmes within a single platform. Since its introduction, over six million cards have been issued, positioning the bank first in Taiwan by number of cards, and second in transaction volumes. Driving digital transformation and customer experience By leveraging resources from its parent Cathay Financial Holding and promoting cross-unit collaboration, the CUBE app has evolved into a comprehensive digital gateway, enabling customers to access banking, securities and insurance services on a single platform with secure and personalised solutions. He also led the continued adoption of emerging data and digital technologies to improve staff productivity and service quality. From 2022 to 2024, financial advisor productivity rose 32% annually, while branch staff were repositioned as single-service contacts delivering holistic financial solutions, contributing to a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in VIP customers. He further strengthened wealth management capabilities through targeted training, innovative product offerings and digital support, resulting in revenue growth that outpaced competitors. Developing talent and fostering an inclusive workplace He prioritised employee growth and organisational capability, recognising skilled talent as essential for long-term sustainability. In 2024, 80% of staff completed artificial intelligence training, and all participated in sustainability education through the “You Learn, I Donate” programme. Individual development plans, knowledge sharing and tailored training developed high-potential talent, with the retention rate of key senior personnel exceeding 90%. Diversity and inclusion initiatives created an equitable and collaborative workplace, integrating unconscious bias awareness and nonviolent communication into performance reviews. Cross-generational industry–academia cooperation offered internships and career opportunities, equipping young talent with digital skills and a sustainability mindset. These efforts prepare employees for the future of banking and create long-term value for customers, shareholders and society. Driving leadership and expertise Lee brings extensive experience in corporate management with expertise in finance, strategy, accounting, information technology, overseas markets and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He joined Cathay United Bank in 2008 as vice-president overseeing corporate banking, became senior vice-president, and was appointed president in 2016, serving until July 2025. He now serves as chairman of Cathay Securities Investment Trust while continuing as executive director of Cathay United Bank. He also served as senior executive vice-president of Cathay Financial Holdings from 2008 to 2016 and as director of Cathay Ventures. Earlier, he held various senior positions at leading institutions, including vice president roles at Citibank’s Taipei branch and JPMorgan Chase’s Taipei branch, as well as general manager of Greater China operations at YAGEO Corporation. He has also served as director of Cathay United Bank (China), CDIB Partners Investment Holding Corp, Taiwan Real Estate Management, Taiwan Finance Corporation and the National Credit Card Center of R.O.C. He contributed to philanthropic and educational organisations such as the Cathay Charity Foundation, Cathay United Bank Foundation and Chuang Han-Kai Professor Educational Foundation. About the CEO Leadership Achievement Awards TAB Global conducts the Leadership Achievement Awards programme every three years, focusing on the performance of CEOs/chairmen and boards in the financial services industry. The programme was first introduced in 2004 and is run only once every three years to give time to the leadership of banks to demonstrate the ability to translate strategy into execution. This highly coveted award is one of the most difficult and exclusive recognition programmes of its kind for any top banker in the industry because of its stringent evaluation process. The Best Managed Bank award is presented in conjunction with the CEO Leadership Achievement Award in the belief that true leadership results in strong and sustainable franchises. Media Contact Genivi Factao Editor TAB Global Email: gfactao@tab.global
