Banker Lee Quo-wei dies at the age of 95
Community leaders praise Lee Quo-wei, former Hang Seng Bank chairman, who died aged 95
Lee Quo-wei 1918-2013
Influential banker Lee Quo-wei, who spent more than a decade as chairman of Hang Seng Bank and was a key figure during Hong Kong's transition from British rule, has died. He was 95.
"It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing away of Dr Lee ... at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin," a statement issued by the bank on behalf of the family said last night. He died on Saturday.
"Although lost to us in life, his legacy and memory will endure," the statement said, without mentioning the cause of death.
Lee joined the bank in 1946 - six years before it was incorporated into a private company. As a trusted adviser to founding chairman Ho Sin-hang, he was appointed a director of the bank in 1960, the year it became a public company. In 1983, Lee was made the bank's executive chairman and following his retirement in 1998, he became honorary chairman and then honorary senior adviser to the bank.
"Dr Lee made tremendous contributions to the financial services, education and public services in Hong Kong and engaged heavily in charitable activities," said Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.