Bahren Shaari

Bahren Shaari (博林) (b. 1962, Singapore–) is a distinguished banking executive with over three decades of industry experience. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Singapore from 2015 to 2022, during which his strategic leadership propelled the bank’s global expansion. Under his stewardship, the institution significantly broadened its clientele base, establishing a strong international presence with offices in Europe, Dubai and Hong Kong.¹

Early Life and Education
Bahren Shaari grew up in Kampong Tanjong Irau in Sembawang, where he attended Sembawang Primary School and then Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School. After completing his A-Levels at Hwa Chong Junior College, he received a bursary to study accountancy at the National University of Singapore and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1984.²

Banking Career
Bahren began his professional journey as an auditor at Coopers & Lybrand, before transitioning into the financial sector after two years. In 1988, he joined American Express, marking the start of his illustrious career in finance. He moved to UBS Wealth Management in 1996, where he ascended to the role of Managing Director and Head of Southeast Asia and Australia.³ Subsequently, he took on the position of Senior Managing Director at ING Asia Private Bank, where he was appointed Global Head for Southeast Asia. Following OCBC Bank’s acquisition of ING Asia Private Bank in 2009, the institution was rebranded as Bank of Singapore.⁴

Other Appointments 
Bahren has served as a non-executive and independent director of Singapore Press Holdings since April 2012. Additionally, he is a distinguished member of the Council of Presidential Advisers, having also served as an alternate member from April 2017 to January 2020.⁵ 

Awards and Recognitions
Bahren was honoured with the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) in 2008 and the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star) in 2018, in recognition of his exceptional and sustained contributions to public service. In 2016, he was conferred the Singapore Institute of Banking and Finance Distinguished Fellow Award, acknowledging his significant impact on the financial industry and his exemplary leadership.⁶ In 2018, he received several prestigious accolades, including the National University of Singapore’s Business School Eminent Business Alumni Award.⁷ That same year, he was also awarded the Berita Harian Anugerah Jauhari (Achiever of the Year).⁸

Author
Mohammad Rashikin Bin Rajah

References
1. “Bank of Singapore appoints Jason Moo as Chief Executive Officer,” Hubbis, 4 January 2023, https://www.hubbis.com/news/bank-of-singapore-appoints-jason-moo-as-chief-executive-officer.
2.  “Bank of S’pore Chief & Boxer Receive Berita Harian Achiever Awards,” New Paper, 1 November 2018, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/bank-spore-chief-boxer-receive-berita-harian-achiever-awards.
3.  Yasmine Yahya, (2014, February 17). “Banking on 25 Years of Experience to Be a Good Banker,” StraitsTimes, 17 February 2014. (From NewspaperSG)
4. “Bank of Singapore Chief Executive to Retire on Jan 31,” Reuters, 12 November 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/bankofsingapore-ceo-succession-idUSL3N0T23XH20141112.
5. President’s Office, “Mr Bahren Shaari,” accessed 14 April 2025, https://www.istana.gov.sg/-/media/Istana/Presidents-Office/Council-of-Presidential-Advisors/CV_Bahren-Shaari.ashx.
6. President’s Office, “Mr Bahren Shaari.”
7.  “Alumni Spotlight Stories: Bahren Shaari, Bank of Singapore,” NUS Business School, 26 April 2020, https://bizbeat.nus.edu.sg/get-inspired/article/alumni-spotlight-stories-bahren-shaari-bank-of-singapore/. 
8. Jolene Ang, “Bank CEO Bahren Shaari is Berita Harian Achiever of the Year, Boxer Muhamad Ridhwan named Young Achiever,” Straits Times, 31 October 2018, https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bank-ceo-bahren-shaari-is-berita-harian-achiever-of-the-year-boxer-muhamad-ridhwan-named.

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The information in this article is valid as of October 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit it here.