May 3, 2023

Sibu Tales : Foochow Bank - The Hock Hua


 the Hock Hua Bank was the first Foochow bank in the country of Sarawak in 1952. It was wholly owned by the Foochows from Sibu. 

This photo shows the first Board of Directors of the Bank. Interestingly there are two groups of Foochows here, the Kutien and the Minqing. 

Back Row : from left Chang Ta Kang, Wong King Huo, Ting Lik Hung, xx, Tiong Kung Ping xx
Front Row : from left Tiong Wang Ming, Ling Chu Ming, xx Wong Sing Keng, xx

Like any business enterprise, the bank had changes in shareholders. Some stayed while some left for reasons best known to the shareholders behind the closed doors.

However after Malaysia was formed, and many years later, Hock Hua Bank had to close under new government directives, thus ending a very unique bank owned by just a small group of Foochows.

By the 21st century, a ethnic based bank like Hock Hua no longer could prevail in a multi racial country like Malaysia.

1 comment:

Andy Wong said...

This is amazing post about Hock Hua Bank article that I have never come across before!

Where did you get this photo in the first place?

About me, I was born and bred as a Foochow from Sibu and I remembered growing up with the bank when my father used to work as banker and then bank manager back in 80s and early 90s.

Which is why I'm curious to know the true origin of the Hock Hua Bank.

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