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.

 

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