Chief Executive Officer
Who We Are
Our client is building a next‑generation global offshore digital bank, backed by a major international fintech group with deep expertise in the digital‑asset ecosystem. The bank has secured Approval‑in‑Principle from a recognized regulator and is now progressing toward full licensing and launch.
This is a rare opportunity to join at pre‑launch, shape governance, build the organization from the ground up, and help define one of the market's most credible regulated digital banks.
We Are Seeking: Chief Executive Officer
This is the founding CEO role - responsible for setting vision, building the leadership team, engaging regulators, and guiding the bank through licensing, launch, and early‑stage growth. We are seeking a high‑integrity, bilingual senior banking executive with deep digital banking expertise and strong familiarity with regulated environments.
Ideal candidates have led digital banks, fintech banking platforms, or regulated FIs, and possess a genuine interest in Web3‑aligned financial innovation. Remote work is possible; however, Hong Kong or Singapore-based professionals are strongly preferred due to regulatory interaction and language alignment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead overall strategy, licensing readiness, and operational build‑out of the digital bank
- Engage regulators and ensure full compliance with prudential, AML/CFT, conduct, and governance standards
- Build and scale the leadership team (technology, product, operations, compliance, finance)
- Shape platform architecture in partnership with technology and product leaders
- Oversee risk, capital, liquidity, and control frameworks consistent with regulated banking requirements
- Represent the bank to shareholders, regulators, partners, and external stakeholders
- Drive multi‑market expansion and ensure operational readiness from day one
Must‑Have Requirements
- 15+ years in banking or financial services
- 5+ years in senior leadership (C‑suite / MD / CEO‑1)
- Experience in regulated banks or licensed financial institutions
- Strong background in:
- Digital banking operations
- Licensing & regulatory engagement
- AML / CFT
- Prudential standards (Basel, liquidity, capital)
- No adverse professional history (never fired, disciplined, sanctioned, or terminated)
- Clean regulatory profile; no disqualifications
- Able to pass full regulatory background & CDD (10‑year address verification, employment history, education, identity checks, notarized documentation)
- Bilingual: English (near‑native) + Mandarin (business fluency)
- Demonstrated interest in Web3 / digital‑asset financial models
- Experience managing cross‑border or regional teams
Strong Preferences
- Previously CEO / MD / Country Head, or a strong COO / CEO‑1 ready to step up
- Leadership experience launching or scaling digital banks or challenger banks
- Experience with fintech‑driven banking models, API banking, or next‑gen digital platforms
- Prior exposure to tokenized assets or digital‑economy infrastructure (advantageous but not mandatory)
- Familiarity with multi‑jurisdictional regulatory frameworks
Why This Opportunity Is Exceptional
- Join a digital bank before launch, at the point of licensing and foundational build‑out
- Influence governance, culture, product vision, leadership hiring, and regulatory positioning
- Backed by a major global fintech group with world‑class investors
- Operate at the crossroads of regulated banking + next‑generation digital finance
- Opportunity to shape a future flagship digital institution from day zero
Selby Jennings is a Trading Style of Phaidon International (License Number 16S8194)
FAQs
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