Employee Stories

Tan Phui Yee

16 years and counting

Tan Phui Yee has been with Standard Chartered for over 16 years and is currently responsible for leading export operations in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Japan. Today she tells us about what she loves about working at Standard Chartered and what it’s like to be a part of the Bank’s Technology Team.

What attracted you to join the Standard Chartered Technology team?

Standard Chartered is an industry-leading bank and I wanted to be a part of an organisation with a renowned legacy in finance. I knew that I would learn a lot from the Standard Chartered ways of working and I was confident that I would positively contribute to the Bank’s ongoing initiatives. Since joining the Bank 16 years ago, I have flown the Standard Chartered flag with pride!

What is your proudest achievement in your career with Standard Chartered so far?

In 2015 I was awarded Standard Chartered’s Staff Member of the Year. I am very proud of this achievement as it was awarded to me shortly after the Tianjin disaster. This was an exceedingly troublesome time in my career but, with the support of my management and team, I was able to persevere and achieve my goals. In the same year, my team was also awarded and acknowledged for their work – which made me immensely proud!

What do you love the most about your job?

As Standard Chartered has a considerable geographical footprint, my role allows me to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders and colleagues from across the globe. I have learned a lot about different cultures and expanded my knowledge of the banking industry because of this.

What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

In August 2015, a series of explosions rocked Tianjin and caused major disruptions to the operations at Standard Chartered, China. In response, the business continuity plan (BCP) was activated, and my team provided unwavering support. Despite having only 30% of our usual resources available, we worked tirelessly to handle the full volume of operations in China for over a month, working more than 12 hours a day. Thanks to our outstanding teamwork, we successfully implemented the BCP without any negative impacts. This experience was the most challenging and longest BCP that we have ever faced, but it taught us the power of collaboration and determination in the face of adversity.

What would surprise people about working at Standard Chartered?

One thing that may surprise people about working in Standard Chartered’s Technology team is how the Bank harnesses technology to improve the experience of both customers and its people. The cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions that we utilise enable us to provide unparalleled service to our clients and streamline our internal processes. It’s exciting to be a part of such a dynamic team that is always pushing boundaries and finding new ways to drive success for the bank and our customers.