Snapshot: Cathay United Bank’s Quek Li Ling on Why Culture Isn’t Built by HR Alone

Why It Matters

The approach demonstrates how banks can fuse culture, wellbeing and AI readiness to attract and retain talent in a rapidly digitising sector, setting a benchmark for people‑centric transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Quek oversees HR, General Affairs, and Marketing, linking culture from all angles.
• Four wellbeing pillars (Healthy, Hearty, Happy, Horizon) guide employee experience.
• AI training mandates six hours annually, with dedicated budgets for upskilling.
• Town halls and ‘Green Bites’ newsletter foster open, cross‑generational communication.
• Empathy remains essential; HR balances digital tools with human touch.

Pulse Analysis

Quek Li Ling’s triple‑portfolio leadership illustrates a shift from siloed HR functions to an integrated culture engine. By aligning policy design, brand storytelling and workplace logistics, Cathay United Bank creates a consistent employee narrative that resonates across seniority levels. This holistic view mirrors a broader industry trend where banks treat culture as a strategic asset, leveraging cross‑functional insights to drive engagement and brand loyalty.

The bank’s four‑pillar wellbeing framework—Healthy, Hearty, Happy and Horizon—addresses physical, social, community and developmental needs. Initiatives like the ‘CU Smile’ CSR program and the internal ‘Green Bites’ newsletter reinforce a sense of purpose and open dialogue, essential for managing generational expectations. Such comprehensive programs help mitigate the friction often seen when younger staff demand flexibility while older employees seek stability.

AI adoption is central to Cathay United’s future‑ready strategy. Mandatory six‑hour annual AI training, coupled with dedicated budgets, equips staff across the skill spectrum to use tools like Copilot confidently. Yet Queq stresses that technology must not eclipse empathy; human‑centric HR interventions remain vital for nuanced queries and morale. By marrying digital upskilling with a compassionate culture, the bank positions itself to navigate rapid transformation while retaining talent—a blueprint other financial institutions are likely to emulate.