Would you return to work after retiring? 

That is exactly what three former customer service managers with OCBC, who are part of our non-conventional talent hire initiative, chose to do.

To date, 20 individuals have joined various divisions in OCBC Singapore through the Return to Work Programme. We aim to increase this number to 30 in Singapore by end 2025.  

‘Silver’ superheroes, our golden resource 

OCBC’s first hire under the programme was a return-to-work mother who joined Global Consumer Financial Services (GCFS). Thereafter, GCFS later launched the Silver Programme in branches, where 10 retirees were approved for hire.

This was not GCFS’ first time tapping on our golden resource. Back in December 2021, when a slew of phishing scams broke out, they had created a task force of retired branch staff!

 “Return-to-work hires give us confidence and assurance as retired staff know our culture, values and work processes. They bring a human touch that money can’t buy with their years of customer service experience,” said Ng Bok Hai (Bob), Head of Personal & Premier Banking Onshore.

"Senior individuals tend to communicate more effectively with their peers, which is why we engage senior service ambassadors to better connect and support our elderly customers,” he added.

Meet our digital ambassadors in their 60s

Choy Oi Leng had previously retired from branch operations in March 2020. However, when her two customer service managers offered her a new role, she eagerly accepted in October 2022 and returned to her "second home", where she is now as a digital ambassador at Toa Payoh Branch.

“I had a warm welcome back. It was nice to meet familiar faces who are happy to see you back in office. When I was retired, I really missed social activities like the annual Dinner and Dance, and Service Night.”

This new role fits her lifestyle as the branch is close to her home, and its flexibility lets her attend Sunday church services and family gatherings. Additionally, it helped her gain a wider understanding of digital banking, including how to use the OCBC app, ATMs and cash deposit machines (CDMs).

Oi Leng is overjoyed when customers give positive feedback and can confidently complete transactions with her help.

“At my age, it’s a choice to do something more meaningful. I found new purpose in my life. When customers are happy, I am happy too.”


Sim Chin Ngui (third from right), 66, with her colleagues at Tampines Branch

Meanwhile, Sim Chin Ngui desired to stay physical and mentally active during her seven months of retirement.

When her ex-colleague told her about a job opening, she rejoined Thomson Branch in September 2022, before moving to Tampines Branch in September 2024.

“Learning is a continuous process. I also like to share my knowledge with other colleagues,” our active colleague said.

What continues to drive her? Friendly colleagues, a good mentor and compliments from customers. She also looks forward to daily morning huddles and enjoys hearing stories from her colleagues about their travels and life experiences.

“Hearing a ‘good morning’ at work really brightens my day. There is no barrier with my younger colleagues. I’m not treated like a senior citizen, but as a colleague and friend.”

Additionally, the role also helps her keep up with trends: Now, she is familiar with a range of conversation topics when chatting with her nephew and nieces!

“Young people want to talk about the future and what’s next. I don’t want to be the aunt that just talks about things from the past,” she shared.

Cheong Eng Hup Nicholas (middle), 64, with his colleagues at Tampines Branch

After enjoying a slower pace of life, Cheong Eng Hup Nicholas was initially hesitant to return to work. During his retirement, he had the same daily routine. He started prioritising his fitness and began exercising regularly to prevent muscle loss, hitting the gym daily at 5.30am.

However, he decided to return to work last November after receiving a call about a job opening from a former colleague at Tampines Branch. Now, each day is different in an “intellectually stimulating environment”, where he can solve problems and interact with many customers.

Retirement also helped Nicholas find a better balance between personal wellbeing and work. He now has more time to improve processes, enhance customer experiences, and learn new skills. 

“I’m very happy to engage with customers and play a small part in helping the bank and customers move towards going digital.”

Thoughts from managers

The response from their managers has been optimistic.

Sabrina Lye, who is both Chin Ngui and Nicholas’ manager, said: “Chin Ngui’s caring nature makes a significant difference in our community and her ability to adapt and thrive is admirable.”

Meanwhile, Nicholas’s knowledge and skills are “invaluable assets”; his “cheerful spirit” brightens the workplace each day.

“Many retirees are highly motivated and possess a strong work ethic. They may be looking for meaningful work or a way to stay engaged, which can translate into dedication and commitment to their roles,” she added.  

Oi Leng’s manager, Alice Tan, said that Oi Leng has been “very easy” to work with and has filled the gap for younger workers who can only converse in English or Mandarin.

“She understood her role and how to connect with elderly, especially those that can only speak and understand Chinese dialects (e.g. Hokkien). As she speaks the same language as them and there is no age gap, we see better acceptance from elderly customers,” she said.

Through our non-conventional talent hire initiative, we aim to continue cultivating a more flexible workforce in a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Find out more about diversity in OCBC here: Diversity in our Workplace | OCBC Singapore