WeLab Bank
![]() | |
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Virtual Banking |
Founded |
|
Headquarters | Hong Kong |
Key people |
|
Parent | WeLab |
Website | welab |
WeLab Bank Limited (Chinese: 匯立銀行) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WeLab and virtual bank with a license to operate in Hong Kong.
History
In 2017, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) began to explore the need to accelerate the development of FinTech firms in Hong Kong, particularly virtual banks. By 2018, the HKMA had begun the application process for a virtual banking license in Hong Kong, with the first deadline being 31 August 2018.[1] In response to this initiative, WeLab established WeLab Digital Limited on 21 August 2018, and submitted an application before the first deadline; WeLab Digital Limited changed its name to WeLab Bank Limited on 16 September 2019.[2]
On 10 April 2019, WeLab Bank became the fourth bank to be awarded a virtual banking license in Hong Kong, becoming the first homegrown startup to do so.[3][4] On the same day, WeLab Bank announced that current WeLab senior advisor KC Chan would become its Chairman.
Product Scope
WeLab Bank has indicated that it will offer a range of deposit services (such as savings accounts and time deposit), and will also collaborate with Mastercard in releasing a numberless debit card for banking customers.[5]
On 28 April 2020, WeLab Bank announced the launch of its Pilot Trial, in which 2,000 users (selected from a pool of staff members, family and friends of staff, and the official waiting list) will be given early access to WeLab Bank's banking products.[6]
Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
- Dr. William Leung (21 August 2018 – 31 December 2019)
- Adrian Tse (1 January 2020 – present)
Chairman
- KC Chan (10 April 2019 – present)
Reference
- ^ Yiu, Enoch (31 August 2018). "Hong Kong draws 29 applications for virtual bank licences". SCMP. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Certificate of Change of Name" (PDF). HKMA. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "WeLab gets Hong Kong's fourth online-only banking licence". Reuters. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "WeLab granted a virtual banking license by theHong Kong Monetary Authority to invigorate Hong Kong's fintech scene". WeLab. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "【虛擬銀行】匯立銀行正進行內部測試 預告將推無號碼銀行卡". Mingpao (in Chinese). 31 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "WeLab Bank試業!同朋友一齊定存愈多人愈高息 年利率最高4.5厘 推無卡號Debit Card". Edigist. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)