2025-2 Special Lecture: “Navigating a Career in Banking and Insights into Customer Service” — Special Lecture by Manager Pin-Yang Chu

On March 27, 2026, the Department invited alumnus Pin-Yang Chu, Manager of the Tainan Branch of CTBC Bank, to give a talk entitled “From Economics to Wealth Management in Banking.” He shared with students how he gradually developed into a wealth management professional serving high-net-worth clients, providing a detailed account of his career journey in the financial industry as well as practical insights into building and maintaining client relationships.

At the beginning of the talk, Manager Chu candidly revealed that his academic performance in college had not been particularly outstanding and that he had even failed courses. He used his own experience to encourage students, emphasizing that while campus life and professional coursework are certainly important, some of the most valuable preparation for the workplace often comes from part-time work experience outside the classroom and the resilience developed through facing failure. For students aspiring to work in banking, Manager Chu stressed that although the role of a financial advisor may appear glamorous, new graduates generally lack practical experience and the professional credibility needed to persuade clients, making direct entry into sales particularly challenging. He therefore recommended that students interested in the financial industry begin as bank tellers, where they can become familiar with banking systems, transaction procedures, and regulatory processes. After building a solid foundation, they can then transition into sales positions. He also noted that today's banking industry has strict certification requirements and encouraged students to obtain essential qualifications, such as trust and life insurance certifications, while still in university to avoid missing career opportunities due to failing probationary assessments after entering the workforce.

In addition to using professional expertise to assist clients with wealth management planning, Manager Chu shared several lesser-known practical techniques for managing relationships with high-end clients. He explained that the core of wealth management is not simply selling financial products; it also involves sincerely and thoughtfully cultivating client relationships and effectively “marketing yourself.” Once clients regard you as a trustworthy partner, their needs for asset planning services will naturally follow.

Finally, Manager Pin-Yang Chu summarized the lessons he has learned over his 22-year career, emphasizing that “attitude” is the key factor that determines achievement. In his view, young people today have access to more resources and higher starting salaries, but often lack resilience and a commitment to continuous learning. Drawing on his own achievements, he encouraged students that as long as they maintain a positive work attitude, are willing to work hard, and continue strengthening their professional expertise, everyone has unlimited potential to distinguish themselves in the highly competitive financial market.

Recorded and compiled by Tzu-Chun Tsai, 2026/3/27