VP Bank has appointed Pamela Hsu Phua as chief executive officer for Asia, effective July 1, pending regulatory approval. Based in Singapore, she will be responsible for the Liechtenstein-headquartered bank’s operations in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Phua will also lead the bank’s strategic partnership with Chinese wealth manager Hywin.

With more than 20 years of banking experience in Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland, Phua was most recently head of Pictet’s Asia family office. She began her career at BNP Paribas and worked in private banking at Credit Suisse prior to a 13-year stint at Julius Baer, where she was head of intermediaries for Greater China. Phua graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in business administration.

Meanwhile, Heline Lam has been appointed chief of staff at VP Bank Asia, effective at the beginning of May. She will report directly to Phua. Most recently head of HR Asia at Pictet, Lam brings a wealth of experience in financial services and private banking gained in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

VP Bank CEO Paul Arni says the bank is strengthening its Asia leadership team to enhance its competitive edge in seizing opportunities in the region.