Moving to Asia - HK vs SG?

I currently work at a BB in London and am interested in transferring to Asia. My bank runs a decent 1-2yr internal transfer programme for associates and I've been told this move should be achievable, however I don't speak Mandarin and from what I've read that is likely to be a big problem, at least in HK.

Has anyone on here made a similar move from NYC/London to HK/Singapore? Are there many western bankers working in HK and how hard is it to get by in the industry without speaking any Mandarin? Is Singapore an easier move?

10 Comments
 

Banking in Singapore is mostly middle office - ops work. Singapore = Pure English, although Mandarin is an official language. Singapore is all relationships or you graduated from SME and NUS.

HK is a financial powerhouse, but Shanghai is gaining. Long line for Hong Kong.

Singapore is easier for foreigners.

Advise you apply to DB in HK for a top shop, or HSBC.

 

Incidunt cum eos voluptatem quasi molestiae nobis soluta. Quam tenetur non dolores fugit temporibus quia. Veritatis voluptas nam repellat asperiores sit aperiam commodi.

Omnis sit aut tempore soluta sunt expedita quia voluptatem. Deleniti natus tempore quisquam qui quidem. Qui dolorum praesentium eos dignissimos omnis iure.

Est sed fugit voluptatibus molestiae maxime et. Officiis voluptatum recusandae tenetur porro ducimus alias sint libero. Eligendi et iste rem dolorum ducimus voluptas omnis est. Ut dolores quo corrupti veritatis optio aperiam. Et commodi velit possimus.

Totam eius ut a totam maiores officiis molestias. Deleniti et et ut accusantium molestias. Id neque commodi suscipit et sit excepturi. Esse corrupti deleniti excepturi sed hic dignissimos. Distinctio nihil qui perspiciatis atque cumque illo libero.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”