China Banking Corporation's Patrick Cheng to sit as a panelist at the ABF Retail Banking Forum

Cheng is the group head for the trust department of the bank.

Prior to working at the China Banking Corporation, Patrick was the EVP in PBCOM (Phil Bank of Communications) as the Bank’s Head for Trust and Wealth Management. From 2004 - 2013, he was with HSBC Philippines firstly as SVP, Wealth Management and Premier and then as President and CEO of HSBC Savings Bank (Philippines). He was also a two-term President of the Chamber of Thrift Banks in 2011 – 2012.

He also worked at Citibank Philippines for 14 years, where on separate occasions, he headed Consumer banking business units including Insurance, Branch Banking, Treasury and Investments.

Cheng will be one of the panelists to discuss the Central Bank of the Philippines' Consumer Framework at the Manila leg of the Asian Banking and Finance Retail Banking Forum which will be held on March 9, 2016.

We spoke with Patrick to find out more about his previous experiences and philosophies. 

What are your previous experiences and positions held that contributed to who you are as a banker today?
My grandfather and my uncles were in banking. So during my school years and with curiousness, I consciously made a decision to work within the realm of Finance.
I took Business Administration and Accounting and a Masters program to help improve and enhance my skills.

I joined the Citibank Management Trainee program in 1990 and since then, have been greatly helped by colleagues, supervisors and mentors to join and eventually lead different departments such as Treasury, Investments, Branch Banking and Insurance. My subsequent experiences as a specialist in Wealth Management and Trust Banking and as a generalist in Senior Management together with interaction with Industry colleagues has contributed to my development.

What are your key business philosophies?

• Act quickly. Bias for action.
• Nurture your people and also hire the best talent available. 
• Give people room to maneuver and push them to come to a decision.
• Allow people to make mistakes and learn from them.