UOB chief's $30m charity
Family behind UOB donates $30m, joining similar bodies set up by prominent businessmen to help the less privileged
By Theresa Tan
THE Wees, of United Overseas Bank (UOB) fame, have become the latest of Singapore's prominent families to establish a charity foundation.
Mr Wee Cho Yaw and his family recently donated $30 million to start the Wee Foundation.
The foundation's secretary, Ms Nancy Tey, told The Straits Times that the Wees had previously donated to the community as individuals. She said they decided to set up their own foundation because they felt it would be a more 'focused' way to 'do their bit for charity'.
Their foundation joins the likes of the Lee, Lien, Shaw and Tan Chin Tuan Foundations, which were also set up by prominent businessmen.
Mr Wee, the chairman of UOB, started his career at a family-owned commodities business. In 1958, he joined his father's bank - then called United Chinese Bank - and transformed the business from one with a single branch into one hailed as a leading financial institution with more than 500 offices in 18 countries today.
Mr Wee, 80, has five children. His eldest son, Ee Cheong, took over as UOB chief executive in 2007.
MR Wee, i sollute u with ur kind generosity, ur father wee kheng chiang leave a great legacy to u, not like ur late bro, wee hood teck, akeen gambler. Ur old house behind the tpk temple stand as trade mark to you family. kudos to U!
Family behind UOB donates $30m, joining similar bodies set up by prominent businessmen to help the less privileged
By Theresa Tan
THE Wees, of United Overseas Bank (UOB) fame, have become the latest of Singapore's prominent families to establish a charity foundation.
Mr Wee Cho Yaw and his family recently donated $30 million to start the Wee Foundation.
The foundation's secretary, Ms Nancy Tey, told The Straits Times that the Wees had previously donated to the community as individuals. She said they decided to set up their own foundation because they felt it would be a more 'focused' way to 'do their bit for charity'.
Their foundation joins the likes of the Lee, Lien, Shaw and Tan Chin Tuan Foundations, which were also set up by prominent businessmen.
Mr Wee, the chairman of UOB, started his career at a family-owned commodities business. In 1958, he joined his father's bank - then called United Chinese Bank - and transformed the business from one with a single branch into one hailed as a leading financial institution with more than 500 offices in 18 countries today.
Mr Wee, 80, has five children. His eldest son, Ee Cheong, took over as UOB chief executive in 2007.
MR Wee, i sollute u with ur kind generosity, ur father wee kheng chiang leave a great legacy to u, not like ur late bro, wee hood teck, akeen gambler. Ur old house behind the tpk temple stand as trade mark to you family. kudos to U!
