The Major Student Summit wraps up the first Greater Bay Fintech Talent Initiative

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (‘HKMA’), Bloomberg and the Hong Kong United Youth Association (‘HKUYA’) hosted an in-person summit that brought together top student talent, representatives from leading financial and technology companies and senior Hong Kong government officials. The summit marks the conclusion of a successful inaugural Greater Bay Area (GBA) Fintech Talent Initiative that brought together more than 320 students and was supported by more than 20 major international firms and organizations in the region.

Keynote addresses were delivered by the Honorable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Government of Hong Kong SAR, Howard Lee, Deputy Managing Director of the HKMA along with comments from Dave Ho, Executive Vice President, HKUYA, Bing Li, Head of Asia-Pacific, Bloomberg and a video message from Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. This was followed by an afternoon of panel discussions with senior executives and representatives from HSBC, HKEX, Standard Chartered, ZA Bank, Alipay (HK) and Goldman Sachs as well as a GBA career fair hosted by the corporate partners.

Speaking at the event, the Honorable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Government of Hong Kong SAR said: “The fintech landscape in Hong Kong is incredibly diverse and dynamic. We are now home to over 800 fintech companies and start-ups, offering a wide range of of innovative services such as mobile payments, cross-border transfers, intelligent financial advice, wealth management, virtual asset trading and blockchain.” He added: “This vibrant and diverse fintech ecosystem is a testament to the fundamental strengths of our city. And by working with our sister cities in the GBA, we can create a synergy effect that offers enormous potential for further fintech innovation.”

Howard Lee, Deputy Managing Director of the HKMA added: “With GDP reaching RMB 12.6 trillion in 2021, the development of the GBA heralds huge opportunities for fintech firms and financial institutions. To support this growth, the digitized financial sector requires multidisciplinary talent as multiple types jobs are created. That’s why it’s important to connect talent with our future. And fintech student programs like this help the younger generation capture new and exciting career opportunities in this vibrant region.”

Throughout the program, university students had the opportunity to meet with executives and experts from leading financial and technology companies in the region who provided technical training, networking opportunities, tailored mentorship and other career skills. This initiative is part of Bloomberg’s global Corporate Philanthropy program, which works with a network of nonprofit partners to ensure that more individuals from underserved communities have relevant skills and experience for employment and entrepreneurship.

“We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work, and our hope is that this program will make an important contribution to an industry that will be a catalyst for long-term economic growth in this region,” said Bing Li , head of Asia-Pacific for Bloomberg. “Over the past 30 years in Hong Kong, our office here has grown to become our largest in Asia, and we are proud to establish a program like this. More than anything else, our hope is that the program will create excitement for a career in fintech, while equipping participants with a network of mentors as they enter the workforce. We believe the program can generate interest in fintech careers here and strengthen access to top-educated talent to employers in Hong Kong and the wider GBA.”

“Youth talent development is critical to the growth and sustainability of the fintech industry in the Greater Bay Area. The GBA Fintech Talent Initiative plays an important role in promoting talent and providing a platform for young people to learn and network in the fintech industry through various initiatives and programs. These efforts not only benefit the individuals, but also contribute to the overall development of the GBA fintech ecosystem, says Dave Ho, executive director of the Hong Kong United Youth Association.