Phang embarked on his banking journey with Standard Chartered Bank in 1994. Throughout his impressive 17-year career in the industry, he held various management positions spanning corporate and consumer banking. Notably, he was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer for Indonesia and General Manager for Small Medium Enterprises at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore and Malaysia. In 2005, Phang took on a significant role in China, where he was seconded to establish a new national joint-stock bank, China Bohai Bank, in Tianjin. During his time there, he served as an Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the consumer banking business.

Phang’s expertise also extends to strategic planning, as he held the position of Group Head of Strategic Planning at DBS. Additionally, he served as the General Manager of SME Banking at SCB in Singapore and Malaysia, leading a large team of SME bankers. He later transitioned to the ultra-high net-worth team in SCB’s private bank.

Beyond his banking career, Phang holds significant roles outside the industry.

He serves as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Business Advisory Council and Chairman of the Digital Economy Task Force from 2018 to 2021.

Phang is the Chairman of the Board and Non-Executive Director of Chuan Holdings Limited (stock code: 1420.HK) since October 2020.

Phang and Asther’s paths crossed at Standard Chartered Bank in 2009, where they embarked on a new initiative together. Since then, he has been a mentor to Asther, even after their professional paths diverged.

Phang’s invaluable insights and inspiration played a crucial role in the establishment of Acore Capital Investments. Having spent most of his career in banking, he holds the belief that traditional banking and its revenue models have not kept pace with the need to serve clients equitably and achieve sustainable business practices. He brings valuable strategic guidance to ACI, drawing from his extensive experience in the financial industry, enabling the company to reach new heights.