On October 24, 2024, a group of doctoral students from the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau, led by Dean Adrian Cheung and Associate Dean Eva Khong, visited the Dynasty Branch of Banco Well Link for an insightful visit field. Banco Well Link Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Banco Well Link") was established in 1996 and operates as a fully licensed commercial bank in Macau. Originally known as Banco Espírito Santo do Oriente, a subsidiary of Portugal’s Banco Espírito Santo, the institution was renamed Novo Banco Asia, S.A. in 2014. Leveraging its historical background, Banco Well Link endeavors to build a bridge and platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, dedicating itself to contributing to the local economic development.

The faculty and students from the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau were warmly welcomed by Mr. Lou, Executive Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of Banco Well Link, along with Ms. Leong, Regional Director of Branch District One and Head of the Dynasty Branch, and Mr. Cheng, Head of the Ocean Gardens Branch. The visit included discussions on the development of Macau's banking industry and an introduction to the core operations of Banco Well Link.

Mr. Lou, Executive Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of Banco Well Link, is a seasoned public accountant, financial accountant, and international accountant. He also holds a senior financial management technician title issued by China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. His previous roles include Head of the Accounting Department and Branch Manager at Xinhua Bank (Bank of China Group), Senior Financial Management Manager and Regional Finance Manager for China at Bank of China Hong Kong, and General Manager of the Finance Department at Nanyang Commercial Bank (China).

During the visit, Mr. Lou shared insights with the students on the similarities and differences between Macau's banks and those in Mainland China. He focused on four key areas: the banking regulatory environment, foreign debt management, deposit reserve requirements, and deposit protection schemes/insurance ordinance. His detailed explanations provided students with a deeper understanding of the distinctions between the two banking systems.

Mr. Lou’s enlightening presentation offered students an enriched perspective on the current global financial economy, currency and banking issues, the development of Macau's banking industry, and bank risk management, prompting them to engage in deep reflection.

Mr. Cheng, General Manager of Banco Well Link, introduced the bank's fundamental services and operations to the attendees. He covered a range of offerings, including current and fixed-term savings deposits, various types of remittances and transfers, credit cards, debit cards, and personal loans. Additionally, he highlighted the bank’s smart banking services, which include ATM and STM access, mobile banking, and online appointment scheduling for account opening.

Mr. Cheng also shared information about personal banking services such as Securities Margin Trading, insurance agency services, payroll processing, and tax refund services. His presentation provided students with a deeper understanding of banking operations and service

The recent visit to Banco Well Link has significantly enriched students' understanding of Macau’s financial services and banking industry, with attendees actively engaging in discussions and posing questions. Dean Adrian Cheung of the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Lou, Executive Director; Ms. Leong, Regional Director; and Mr. Cheng, General Manager of Banco Well Link, for their thoughtful arrangements. Their efforts provided invaluable insights that will guide students in their future research and career directions.

This visit further advanced the Faculty’s "industry-academia-research" educational philosophy, fostering mutual promotion and collaboration between enterprises and educational institutions. Looking ahead, the Faculty of Finance aims to deepen its partnership with Banco Well Link for mutual growth and development.