Who We Are
Our client is building a nextgeneration global offshore digital bank, backed by a major international fintech group with deep expertise in the digitalasset ecosystem. The bank has secured ApprovalinPrinciple from a recognized regulator and is now progressing toward full licensing and launch.
This is a rare opportunity to join at prelaunch, 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 earlystage growth. We are seeking a highintegrity, 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 Web3aligned 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 buildout 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 multimarket expansion and ensure operational readiness from day one
MustHave Requirements
- 15+ years in banking or financial services
- 5+ years in senior leadership (Csuite / MD / CEO1)
- 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 (10year address verification, employment history, education, identity checks, notarized documentation)
- Bilingual: English (nearnative) + Mandarin (business fluency)
- Demonstrated interest in Web3 / digitalasset financial models
- Experience managing crossborder or regional teams
Strong Preferences
- Previously CEO / MD / Country Head, or a strong COO / CEO1 ready to step up
- Leadership experience launching or scaling digital banks or challenger banks
- Experience with fintechdriven banking models, API banking, or nextgen digital platforms
- Prior exposure to tokenized assets or digitaleconomy infrastructure (advantageous but not mandatory)
- Familiarity with multijurisdictional regulatory frameworks
Why This Opportunity Is Exceptional
- Join a digital bank before launch, at the point of licensing and foundational buildout
- Influence governance, culture, product vision, leadership hiring, and regulatory positioning
- Backed by a major global fintech group with worldclass investors
- Operate at the crossroads of regulated banking + nextgeneration 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)
