# Simon Loong

> Simon Loong is the Hong Kong-based founder and group CEO of WeLab. After 15 years at Citibank and Standard Chartered and a master’s degree at Stanford, he co-founded WeLab in 2013 with Frances Kang and Kelly Wong. The group operates digital financial services across Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia, including WeLab Bank and Bank Saqu.

- **Role:** Founder & Group CEO at WeLab
- **Organizations:** WeLab, WeLab Bank, Citibank, Standard Chartered, Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, FinTech Association of Hong Kong
- **From:** Hong Kong
- **Education:** Bachelor of Commerce, University of Sydney, Master of Science in Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, Sabi University
- **Known for:** University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award, 2018., The Asian Banker Innovation Leadership Achievement Award, 2017., Capital CEO CEO of the Year, 2016.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Commerce.
- **Before 2013** — Spent 15 years in retail banking at Citibank and Standard Chartered, including senior risk and lending roles.
- **2011–2012** — Studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- **2013** — Co-founded WeLab with Frances Kang and Kelly Wong.
- **2014** — WeLab expanded into mainland China.
- **2017** — Became a founding board member of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong.
- **2018** — WeLab entered Indonesia through a joint venture with Astra; Loong received a University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award.
- **2019** — WeLab obtained a Hong Kong virtual banking licence.
- **2020** — WeLab Bank launched in Hong Kong.
- **2023** — WeLab and Astra launched Bank Saqu in Indonesia.
- **2026** — WeLab announced US$220 million in Series D strategic financing, comprising debt and equity.

## Achievements

- University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award, 2018.
- The Asian Banker Innovation Leadership Achievement Award, 2017.
- Capital CEO CEO of the Year, 2016.
- Our Hong Kong Foundation InnoStars Award, 2018.
- Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honouree.
- Led WeLab’s expansion from online lending into digital banking in Hong Kong and Indonesia.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Spoke at the LEAP East technology conference in Hong Kong; subsequent Tatler coverage discussed his hands-on AI experiments and approach to broad staff adoption.
- **2026-04** — WeLab Bank reported 2025 revenue of HK$942 million, up 35% year-on-year; revenue is defined before changes in allowances for expected credit losses.
- **2026-01** — WeLab announced US$220 million in Series D strategic financing, including debt and equity.
- **2025-09** — WeLab and Google announced an AI-focused strategic partnership.

## Links

- Website: https://www.welab.co/en/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-loong/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/simon-loong
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-07