He started his six-decade professional career in 1950, when he served as clerk at the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. In five years he became an officer there, and in 1960 he joined Malayan Banking Berhad as manager. Four years later, he was promoted to the position of General Manager at the young age of 34. Then in 1966, Hong Piow left Malayan Banking to set up his Public Bank. With 17500 employees and 400 branches, the bank has developed into Hong Kong, Vietnam, China and Cambodia. Hong Piow's other interests include a stake in insurance firm LPI Capital. Apart from being a banker, he is also a philanthropist who supports many charity actions like the Malaysian Paralympic Council, which oversees sports events for the disabled. An avid photographer and a devoted father of four, Teh Hong Piow is one of the five richest people in Malaysia.
