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 banking expertise and strong familiarity with regulated environments with a focus on how to build a bank system, build a management team, run through and verify new bank business models, and how to make efforts in user growth and revenue in the future.
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) within a traditional bank
- 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)
