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Lien Ying Chow


George Lien Ying Chow (2 August 1906 – 6 August 2004) was a Singaporean entrepreneur, banker, and philanthropist of descent who rose from orphaned immigrant poverty to build a major financial institution and donate nearly half his fortune to charitable causes. Born in Dapu village, , , Lien was orphaned by age 11 after losing his mother in 1916 and father in 1917; he relocated to in 1918 before arriving in in 1920 at age 14 with minimal funds. Beginning as a , he established the trading firm Wah Hin & Co. in 1929, which supplied provisions to forces, and later served as of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce in 1941. During , he fled Japanese-occupied , smuggling diamonds sewn into his clothing to fund the establishment of Overseas Union Bank, which he expanded into Overseas Union Bank (OUB) by 1949 and grew to 32 branches in by 1968 before retiring as group chairman in 1995; the bank merged with in 2001. Lien's influence extended to public service and education, including appointment as Singapore's to in 1966, co-founding , aiding the creation of Ngee Ann College (later ), and chairing the inaugural council of the from 1980 to 1992. In 1980, he created the Lien Foundation with almost half his wealth, pioneering professionalized family philanthropy in focused on education, eldercare, and initiatives. His contributions earned him the in 1964, Businessman of the Year in 1988, and an honorary from in 1992; he died of at age 98.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Lien Ying Chow was born in 1906 in Dapu village, Chaoyang district, province, , into a family. His grandfather, Lien Chye, held the position of , reflecting the family's local standing in a traditional rural setting. Limited details survive on his immediate upbringing, but it occurred amid the socio-economic challenges of early 20th-century rural , where structures and ancestral ties shaped community life. By his early teens, Lien had become an following the deaths of his parents, leaving him without direct familial support in . This personal hardship underscored the precarious circumstances that propelled many young Chinese from to seek opportunities abroad during that era.

Migration and Early Experiences in Hong Kong and Singapore

Lien Ying Chow was born on 2 August 1906 in Dapu village, province, , into a family; his father, Lien Swee Seng, operated a business, while his mother, Zhao Yin De, died in 1916, followed by his father in 1917, leaving him orphaned at around age 11. In 1918, at age 12, he migrated to , where he worked for two years in unspecified employment amid the era's economic opportunities for young Chinese migrants seeking urban prospects. By 1920, with savings of HK$10 supplemented by assistance from a relative, Lien purchased a to , arriving at age 14 with minimal possessions during a period of expanding and in the Straits Settlements. Upon arrival, he joined Kian Thye, a firm on Robinson Road, as an assistant earning $10 per month, handling basic provisioning tasks in the bustling port economy reliant on maritime . During the 1920s, Lien advanced within Kian Thye to assistant shipping clerk and eventually assistant manager, with his salary rising to $120 per month, gaining practical experience in and supply chains that later informed his entrepreneurial ventures. In 1927, he left to establish his own business with $5,000 in capital, though it closed after six months due to competitive pressures in the sector. By , he co-founded Wah Hin & Co. on Robinson Road with partner How Wan Hong, focusing on import-export and supplying provisions to forces, marking his initial success in independent trade amid Singapore's colonial economic framework.

Professional Career

Entry into Business and Banking

Upon arriving in Singapore in 1920 at the age of 14 as an without resources, Lien Ying Chow initially worked as an assistant in a provision shop. By 1929, having accumulated savings from his employment, he co-founded the import-export firm Wah Hin & Company with partner How Wan Hong, in which he held a 60 percent stake; the operated from shophouses at Nos. 23 and 25 along a commercial street. Wah Hin achieved early financial success through lucrative contracts supplying provisions to forces stationed in , enabling Lien to expand his commercial operations amid the pre-war economic environment. Lien's trading ventures positioned him as a prominent figure in Singapore's business community, leading to his election as president of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in 1941, from which he coordinated relief efforts during bombing raids preceding the 1942 invasion. As the began in 1942, Lien relocated to , , in 1943, carrying valuables including diamonds for security. There, amid wartime exile, he rallied merchants from and to establish the Overseas Chinese Union Bank (OCUB) in 1943, serving as a for the émigré community and opening branches across to facilitate trade and remittances. This foray into banking during the marked Lien's transition from trading to finance, driven by the need to provide capital access to displaced Chinese entrepreneurs in , then China's wartime capital; OCUB operated until the postwar period, after which Lien returned to and liquidated it to pursue new ventures. The experience underscored his recognition of banking's role in stabilizing commerce amid geopolitical upheaval, laying groundwork for subsequent institutions.

Founding and Leadership of Overseas Union Bank

After closing his Overseas Chinese Union Bank in China following , Lien Ying Chow incorporated Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in in 1947, starting with S$2 million in paid-up capital and 27 employees. The institution, aimed at serving the ethnic Chinese business community, began operations in February 1949 from its headquarters in , a location traditionally dominated by Western banks. Under Lien's leadership as founder and chairman, OUB experienced significant growth, expanding to 32 branches within by 1968. International outreach began in the mid-1950s with branches in , , and , followed by a milestone in 1973 as the first Singapore bank to establish a presence in . This expansion solidified OUB's position as one of Southeast Asia's major financial institutions, culminating in the construction of the S$500 million OUB Centre at 1 in 1988. Lien remained chairman until his retirement in 1995, after which he was appointed honorary life counsellor. In 2001, facing competitive pressures, he endorsed OUB's acquisition by for S$9.4 billion, exchanging 157 million OUB shares for 81.8 million UOB shares and S$632 million in cash, ensuring the institution's continuity under new ownership.

Role in Ngee Ann Kongsi and Community Organizations

Lien Ying Chow served as president of the during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Under his leadership, the organization established Ngee Ann College in 1963 within the Teochew Building to advance technical education amid Singapore's push for industrialization following independence in 1965. In May 1962, he was appointed chairman of the board of governors for the college, guiding its development into Ngee Ann Technical College by 1968, which later evolved into , Singapore's second-oldest polytechnic. Beyond the Ngee Ann Kongsi, Lien held prominent roles in broader Chinese community organizations. He was elected the youngest president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1941 at age 35, serving through 1946 and representing Teochew business interests during the pre-war and wartime periods. In 1948, he became a founding board member of the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA), contributing to early public health initiatives against tuberculosis in the colony. Additionally, from 1951, he sat on the board of the Singapore Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan, a key dialect-group association fostering Teochew cultural and mutual aid activities. These positions underscored his influence in bridging business acumen with communal welfare among Singapore's Chinese population.

Philanthropy and Educational Contributions

Establishment of the Lien Foundation

In 1980, Lien Ying Chow founded the Lien Foundation by donating nearly half of his accumulated wealth to establish a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting the needy in society. This act reflected his lifelong commitment to giving back, stemming from his own experiences as a self-made entrepreneur who rose from orphanhood and lack of formal to prominence in banking and business. The foundation was structured as an endowment to ensure perpetual impact, with initial resources directed toward charitable causes aligned with Lien's values of community welfare and opportunity creation. The establishment formalized Lien's philanthropy, building on his earlier contributions to and community organizations such as . By setting aside substantial personal assets at age 74, Lien aimed to inspire future generations to pursue and societal contribution, free from dependency. The Lien Foundation's inception marked a strategic shift toward institutionalized giving, enabling sustained funding for initiatives in areas like , healthcare, and , though specific early grants were not publicly detailed in founding documents. This endowment has since grown, maintaining focus on high-impact philanthropy without governmental affiliation.

Support for Nanyang University and Other Initiatives

Lien Ying Chow co-founded , the first Chinese-medium institution of higher learning in , established on 15 March 1955 to address the lack of opportunities for Chinese-speaking students in and the region. Working with other community leaders, he helped mobilize resources and advocacy for its creation amid post-war demands for accessible aligned with local cultural needs. His involvement reflected a commitment to preserving Chinese-language while fostering among immigrant communities. Beyond , Chow supported the establishment of [Ngee Ann College](/page/Ngee Ann College) in 1963, which evolved into and focused on vocational and technical training for underprivileged youth. He also chaired the inaugural council of the University of Singapore (predecessor to the ), guiding its formative policies on curriculum and administration during the 1960s. These efforts underscored his emphasis on practical education to uplift the socio-economically disadvantaged, often drawing from his own experiences as an early 20th-century immigrant. In parallel, Chow backed secondary-level Chinese education by providing financial and organizational aid to institutions like The Chinese High School, ensuring continuity of Mandarin-medium instruction amid shifting linguistic policies in post-independence . His philanthropy prioritized empirical outcomes, such as increased enrollment and graduation rates for low-income students, over ideological conformity.

Civic and Political Engagement

Advocacy for Singapore Citizenship and Immigrant Rights

Lien Ying Chow played a significant role in advocating for rights for immigrants in , particularly as a leader in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Through this organization, he contributed to efforts that secured for Chinese residents, addressing the precarious legal status of many overseas-born individuals in the period. The Chamber's campaigns emphasized the of immigrants who had contributed economically and socially to the colony, culminating in the passage of the Singapore Ordinance on 1 November 1957. As one of the earliest applicants, Lien submitted his papers promptly after the ordinance's enactment and received his Singapore citizenship certificate in November 1957, alongside other prominent Chinese community figures such as Ng Quee Lam and Ko Teck Kin. He publicly hailed the development as a pivotal moment for overseas-born residents, enabling formal allegiance to and protection from amid regional political uncertainties. This personal commitment reflected his broader push for immigrant rights, rooted in his own experience as a Chinese migrant who arrived in with limited means in the . Lien's advocacy extended to promoting civic participation among immigrants, urging them to renounce foreign allegiances and embrace Singaporean identity. His actions aligned with the colony's transition toward , where served as a for stabilizing the diverse against communist influences and ethnic divisions. By 1957, these efforts had facilitated citizenship for tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants, fostering loyalty and economic contributions essential to Singapore's development.

Positions on Chinese Community Autonomy and Education

Lien Ying Chow consistently advocated for robust -medium education as a means to sustain and economic self-reliance within Singapore's . As president of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1941, he represented business leaders in pushing for the preservation of linguistic and al institutions amid colonial and post-colonial transitions. In , alongside figures like Tan Lark Sye and Ko Teck Kin, he submitted public representations to the All-Party Committee on , emphasizing the need for government support to enhance schools' quality and accessibility without eroding their foundations. These views aligned with the committee's 1956 report, which recommended strengthening to foster while integrating with . A cornerstone of his position was the community-driven establishment of in 1956, where he served as a leading promoter and fundraiser. The institution, funded primarily through donations exceeding S$5 million from merchants and locals, embodied autonomy by offering in as the primary medium, supplemented by English, to address the lack of opportunities for Chinese school graduates. Lien argued that such an initiative would empower the community to cultivate its own intellectual leaders, reducing dependence on foreign universities and reinforcing ethnic cohesion in a multi-racial society. His support extended to secondary institutions, including substantial backing for The Chinese High School and the founding of Ngee Ann College in 1963 under his leadership of , which prioritized curriculum alongside vocational training for clan descendants. These efforts reflected Lien's broader stance on calibrated autonomy: Chinese organizations should manage their educational endeavors independently where feasible, drawing on philanthropic resources to avoid over-reliance on state control, yet align with Singapore's meritocratic framework post-1965 independence. Through the Lien Foundation established in 1980, he continued funding scholarships and programs prioritizing bilingual proficiency, underscoring education's role in perpetuating Confucian values and community resilience against assimilation pressures. His positions, rooted in personal experience as a self-made immigrant without formal early schooling, prioritized empirical outcomes like higher enrollment in Chinese schools—rising from 40% of students in the 1950s to sustained cultural literacy—over ideological conformity.

Personal Life and Family

Marriage and Descendants

Lien Ying Chow entered into four marriages during his lifetime. His first marriage took place in 1926, when he was 20 years old. He wed Wen Hsien as his fourth wife in 1964, with whom he shared family life until his death; she survived him and later made significant philanthropic donations in his name. From his marriages, primarily the earlier ones, Lien fathered eight children: four sons—Lien Seow Wah (known as Tommie), Lien Chin Wah (Johnnie), Lien Tiong Wah (Sonnie), and Lien Kok Wah (Eddie)—and four daughters, including Lien Geck Choo (Judy) and Lien Geck Chin (Margaret). His descendants have maintained involvement in family enterprises, including a minority stake in through a private investment firm bearing his name.

Lifestyle and Personal Interests

Lien Ying Chow's lifestyle reflected the values of diligence and family devotion instilled by his immigrant experience and early orphanhood. Despite achieving substantial wealth through banking, he maintained a focus on familial stability, raising eight children—four sons (Seow Wah, Chin Wah, Tiong Wah, and Kok Wah) and four daughters (Geck Choo, Geck Chin, Geck Ling, and Geck Cheng)—across four marriages, the last to Wen Hsien, who survived him. His personal interests remained largely private, with public records emphasizing his commitment to and long-term family welfare over leisure pursuits.

Later Years, Death, and Honors

Final Business and Philanthropic Activities

In the mid-1990s, Lien Ying Chow retired from his positions as chairman and director of Overseas Union Bank (OUB), which he had founded in 1947, transitioning to the role of honorary life counsellor. This followed decades of expansion, including OUB's establishment of branches in major international cities such as , , and —the latter marking the first Singaporean bank presence there in 1973. In 2001, at age 95, OUB was acquired by (UOB) for S$9.4 billion, a transaction that preserved sensitivities toward Lien as the aging founder while integrating his family's 15.7% stake into UOB shares and cash. Parallel to these developments, Lien's investments extended to the sector through Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE), encompassing properties like the Mandarin Singapore Hotel, which opened in 1971, and expansions into , , and . His final business engagements thus emphasized legacy stewardship rather than operational leadership, reflecting a shift toward advisory influence amid family-held interests in banking and . On the philanthropic front, the Lien Foundation—established by Lien in 1980 with a donation comprising nearly half his wealth—served as the primary vehicle for his enduring commitments to aiding the needy and promoting self-reliance among Singapore's youth. This endowment focused on and , building on his earlier support for institutions like and Ngee Ann College, while ensuring sustained impact without direct handouts, in line with his vision for fostering progress and excellence. Through the foundation, Lien's later-year philanthropy emphasized systemic improvements in to opportunities, continuing to shape until his death in 2004.

Death and Immediate Aftermath

Lien Ying Chow died on 6 August 2004 at his home in , five days after his 98th birthday. The cause of death was following a brief illness. He passed away peacefully at 8:50 p.m., surrounded by family members. His funeral drew attendance from prominent business leaders, politicians, civil servants, and former employees, reflecting his stature in Singapore's economic and civic spheres. No public disputes or irregularities were reported in the immediate handling of his estate or succession, with family spokespersons confirming the circumstances of his passing.

Awards, Decorations, and Recognition

Lien Ying Chow was awarded the (Meritorious Service Medal) by the Singapore government in November 1964, in recognition of his contributions to the nation's economic and civic development. In 1965, he received the Third Class (Knight Commander) of the Order of the Crown of Thailand, conferred by King for his role in fostering trade relations between and . Lien was presented with the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement in 1981, honoring his achievements as a banking tycoon and philanthropist.

Legacy and Impact

Economic Contributions to Singapore's Development

Lien Ying Chow's establishment of the Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1947 marked a pivotal advancement in Singapore's financial infrastructure during the post-World War II era. With an initial capital of $2 million and 27 employees, OUB rapidly expanded to 32 branches across by 1968 and established international presence in cities including , , , and by 1973. Under his leadership, the bank emphasized and corporate financing, leveraging an extensive network to facilitate financing and business loans essential for Singapore's recovery and industrialization efforts. By 1988, the completion of the 60-storey OUB Centre in , costing S$500 million, symbolized the institution's role in developing the and reinforcing 's status as a regional financial hub. In parallel, Lien diversified into property development through the founding of Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) in 1964, which spearheaded projects like the Mandarin Singapore Hotel, opened in 1971. This venture extended to investments in hotels, office buildings, and condominiums not only in but also in and , contributing to the expansion of the hospitality and sectors critical to Singapore's service-oriented . Earlier, his trading firm Wah Hin & Co., established in 1929 to supply provisions to British forces and expanded into by the mid-1930s, laid foundational experience in commerce that supported local supply chains amid colonial and early independence economic transitions. These initiatives collectively bolstered , infrastructure, and sectoral diversification, underpinning Singapore's evolution from a to a modern ; OUB's eventual acquisition by in 2001 for S$9.4 billion underscored the enduring value generated. Additionally, Lien's forays into manufacturing, such as bottling via Union Ltd. in the 1960s, exemplified efforts to nurture nascent industries amid Singapore's push for economic self-sufficiency post-1965 . His empire, built from humble beginnings after arriving penniless in 1920, provided employment and investment channels that aligned with national development imperatives, fostering resilience in the .

Philanthropic Influence and Ongoing Foundations

Lien Ying Chow established the Lien Foundation in 1980 by donating nearly half of his personal wealth, marking a pivotal commitment to that extended his influence beyond business into social welfare, , and in and . The foundation, initially focused on perpetuating his charitable endeavors, has since evolved into a major grant-making entity, supporting initiatives in eldercare, , water aid, and , with an emphasis on innovative and scalable solutions to systemic challenges. The Lien Foundation's ongoing programs reflect Chow's vision of addressing unmet needs through bold partnerships and advocacy; for instance, it funds projects like water sanitation in developing regions and collaborative efforts to enhance eldercare services in . In 2007, the family-initiated Lien Ying Chow Fellowship was launched to foster ties between and by sponsoring for senior officials and leaders, thereby sustaining his legacy of exchange and leadership cultivation. Family members have actively extended these efforts post-Chow's death in 2004; his widow, Margaret Lien, pledged S$20 million in October 2023 to create the Lien Ying Chow Endowment Fund at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, aimed at supporting cancer patients' recovery needs such as rehabilitation and quality-of-life improvements. In February 2025, she donated S$3 million to Singapore Management University to fund scholarships enabling 20 students annually for overseas exchange programs, further embedding the family's philanthropic footprint in education. Under the leadership of grandson Laurence Lien as chairman, the foundation continues to prioritize "radical philanthropy," funding high-impact, evidence-based interventions while avoiding traditional, low-efficiency giving models.

Assessments of Achievements and Any Challenges Faced

Lien Ying Chow's establishment of Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1947, which he expanded to include branches in , , , and by 1973—the first Singapore bank in the latter—demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial foresight in post-war , challenging the dominance of Western financial institutions and contributing to the localization of banking services. His leadership until 1995, culminating in the 1988 opening of OUB Centre and his recognition as Businessman of the Year that year, underscored a self-made trajectory from modest trading origins to building one of the region's largest banks. In philanthropy, assessments highlight his establishment of the Lien Foundation in 1980, to which he donated nearly half his wealth, as a pioneering effort in structured giving that prioritized education—co-founding and (now )—and later extended to innovative programs in , eldercare, and child health, emphasizing long-term societal impact over short-term charity. His roles as chairman of the National University of Singapore's council from 1980 to 1992 and Pro-Chancellor further positioned him as a key architect of Singapore's educational infrastructure. Public service contributions, including his tenure as to in 1966 to strengthen bilateral ties and chairmanship of the Preservation of Monuments Board from 1972, reflect a holistic commitment to . Challenges included early personal adversities, such as being orphaned by age 10 in , , and arriving penniless in in 1920 to begin in ship supplies and military provisioning. The Japanese occupation forced his escape from in 1942, during which he safeguarded assets by sewing diamonds into his clothing, delaying his return and business resumption until 1945. Later, OUB confronted a potential in 2001 amid competitive pressures, prompting support for its acquisition by to preserve independence over a rival bid. These obstacles, navigated without evident scandals, reinforced evaluations of his in fostering enduring economic and social institutions.

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