The year 2024 emerges with a roaster of visionary leaders who are ready to reshape their industries by building new business models. Among all the exceptional individuals who are commanding the attention of everyone, Win Lwin (CEO of Myanma Tourism Bank) has a profound commitment to catalyzing positive change within Myanmar’s banking sector. He leverages international experiences, an understanding of complex financial systems, and a well-established professional network to improve banking services and contribute to the country’s economic development. The Enterprise World is proud to feature him in the issue “The Most Iconic Business Leaders To Watch In 2024”. This article delves into the intriguing narrative of Win Lwin, offering a captivating exploration of his personal and professional journey.
Educational Professional Triumphs
Raised in Myanmar, Win Lwin underwent primary and secondary education locally, with a focus on mathematics. Pursuing electrical engineering at Yangon Technological University laid a strong educational foundation. Later, he ventured into international computer studies, earning key diplomas, notably an advanced diploma in Business Computing from the University of Oxford. Expanding his horizons, Win pursued a Master’s in Banking and Finance at Mercy University, New York, where he enhanced his expertise in business management, international banking, and financial markets.
In 2002, Win Lwin commenced his finance journey at UBS Investment Bank, leveraging a robust educational background from the UK and the US. Swift adaptation and excellence led to progression through various roles and senior positions. He was advanced to significant roles in international finance, investment banking, and asset management at major US banks like Wells Fargo and BNY Mellon in New York. Furthermore, he transitioned to the World Bank Group, focusing on enhancing financial infrastructure and stability in emerging economies. He specializes in treasury management at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), gaining expertise in financial inclusivity, economic development, and robust cash management.
Contributing Country’s Economic Growth
While at the World Bank Group, Win Lwin observed the impactful role of financial services in emerging markets and identified gaps in Myanmar’s financial system. His Master’s education in the US exposed him to financial innovations that could enhance Myanmar’s banking landscape and contribute to economic growth. It is rooted in a deep Asian cultural connection from growing up in Myanmar, which fueled his desire to leverage acquired expertise to bring positive change to the local banking industry.
Win Lwin decided to venture into the banking industry in Myanmar. He aimed to leverage international experiences, an understanding of complex financial systems, and a well-established professional network. These things helped him to improve banking services, contribute to the country’s economic development, and integrate Myanmar’s banking sector with global markets. Being the CEO of Myanma Tourism Bank (MTB), Win is facing the challenge of bridging international best practices with the unique dynamics of Myanmar’s economy and regulatory framework. He seeks to enhance the bank’s performance, customer service, and position in the market while encouraging the adoption of digital banking tools and inclusive finance policies to foster greater access to financial services for all segments of the population.
Strong Emotional Intelligence
Business leadership has evolved significantly over the years in response to changes in economic conditions, cultural values, technology, and global challenges. Leaders must be able to pivot strategies quickly in response to changing market conditions and navigate through crises like the pandemic. Understanding and caring for the emotional well-being of employees became paramount during the pandemic. Leaders who exhibit empathy with strong emotional intelligence can foster loyalty and a strong team spirit. Overall, modern leadership is about balancing the demands of the fast-paced, technologically driven business environment while maintaining a focus on human-centered values, societal impact, and long-term sustainability.
According to Win, these are the ways through which leadership has shifted its focus:
Tailoring to the Needs of the Tourism Industry
MTB was granted a commercial banking license in 2018. The bank primarily offers a range of banking products and services tailored to the needs of the tourism industry in Myanmar. These include the following:
- Tourism Financing: MTB provides loans and financing options specifically designed for tourism-related businesses along with SMEs and corporate financing as well.
- International Banking and Foreign Exchange Services: The bank offers trade financing products as well as foreign exchange services to facilitate currency exchange for tourists and businesses involved in the tourism sector.
- Payment Solutions: MTB provides payment solutions for tourism businesses, including card payment processing services and online payment gateways, mobile banking, and mobile wallets.
- Savings and Deposit Accounts: The bank offers various types of savings and deposit accounts for individuals and businesses, allowing them to save and manage their funds effectively.
- Remittance Services: MTB facilitates international money transfers and remittance services, making it easier for tourists and businesses to send and receive funds across borders.
- Bancassurance Products: The bank shall also offer travel insurance services to provide coverage and protection for tourists during their travels in Myanmar as well as credit life and other life insurance products.
Being committed to innovation and industry-specific expertise, the bank constantly provides exceptional financial solutions to its customers. The following factors differentiate it from other banks:
- Specialized tourism focus: MTB specializes in catering to Myanmar’s tourism sector, offering tailored financial products like business loans and hotel financing. With a focus on the unique needs of the industry, it stands out as the go-to bank for businesses and individuals in tourism.
- Sustainable tourism initiatives: Through eco-friendly financing including green funding for hotels renewable energy loans, and grants to UNESCO heritage sites, MTB promotes sustainable tourism. As a responsible financial partner, it is dedicated to supporting environmentally conscious initiatives in Myanmar’s tourism sector.
- Customized customer experience: MTB recognizes the distinct financial needs of the tourism industry by offering personalized financial solutions, advisory services, and customized wealth management for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Its customer-centric approach ensures a superior banking experience.
Critical Decisions on Investments
As the CEO of MTB, Win’s roles and responsibilities are varied and encompass a wide range of duties related to overseeing the operations and strategic direction of the bank. He provides strategic leadership and vision for the bank, including setting long-term goals, developing business strategies, and ensuring that the bank remains competitive and relevant. Moreover, he oversees the financial performance of the bank, which includes managing the bank’s revenue, profitability, and overall financial health. This involves making critical decisions on investments, risk management, and capital allocation. He collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure alignment and transparent communication regarding the bank’s activities, performance, and plans. Win Lwin manages the implementation of effective risk management strategies and ensures that the bank complies with all relevant laws and regulations specific to the banking and financial sector.
Win leads initiatives to drive innovation and leverage technology to improve the bank’s services, operational efficiency, and overall customer experience. He establishes the highest standards of corporate governance, integrity, and ethical conduct, and appropriate systems that safeguard the interests of all stakeholders. Win Lwin prioritizes the bank’s involvement in community development initiatives, particularly related to the tourism industry, to fulfill its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
Building Customer-Centric Financial Institution
Win Lwin considers Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, a role model. His emphasis on customer satisfaction, sustainable growth, and ethical conduct has influenced Win’s leadership style. Win adds, “I prioritize corporate governance, transparency, and innovation within our organization, drawing inspiration from Dimon’s approach. His resilience during economic challenges and effective risk management strategies guide my strategic planning at MTB, aligning with his principles for sustainable growth, exceptional customer experiences, and long-term success.”
Win Lwin has been leading the transformation of the bank into a modern, customer-centric, and sustainable financial institution since May 2023. With over 20 years of progressive experience in the financial banking industry, he has a proven track record of delivering results, driving growth, and enhancing performance across various markets and sectors.
The core competencies of Win Lwin include global structured finance, collateral administration, treasury management, international trade settlement and clearance, and securities lending. Moreover, he has been actively involved in shaping the economic development and outlook of Myanmar as an Editorial Board member of the Myanmar Economic Forum and a founding Board member of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association. Win aims to leverage his expertise and network to create value for customers, stakeholders, and society.
Achievements:
- Formed crucial partnerships with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Bankers Association (ABA), leading to an impressive 150% revenue growth.
- Introduced groundbreaking financial instruments in Myanmar banking industry, including FX Forward (FWD), Repurchase Agreement (Repo), and Cross Currency SWAPS (CCY SWAPS). Also, initiated Cross Border Settlement for Myanmar in Mekong Region CLMVT countries.
- Award-Winning Excellence: Asia Money Award for Best Domestic Bank 2019, Financial Times (FT), Honor for Best Bank of the Year in Myanmar Award (2013-2018), Asian Banking and Finance Award for Best Wholesale Bank in Myanmar 2017, and Euromoney Award for Best Bank in Myanmar 2016
- Actively shaped the editorial agenda for monthly Economic Development and Outlook Discussions at the Myanmar Economic Forum (MEF), a prominent Economic Public Policy Think-tank.
Strategic Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions
In September 2016, Win Lwin became the founding board member of the Board of Supervisors at the Asian Financial Cooperation Association commonly known as AFCA. Moreover, he is leading the transformation of a traditional bank like MTB into a modern and customer-centric institution, leveraging digital technologies and innovative financial services to improve customer experience and drive growth. He is expanding the bank’s market reach and presence through strategic partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions, leading to increased market share and business growth. He is also establishing a strong brand presence and reputation for the bank within the financial industry, earning recognition for excellence in service, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.
As a successful business leader, Win Lwin pursues that failures and setbacks are valuable opportunities for learning, growth, and resilience. When facing failures, he adopts a proactive and constructive approach to navigate through challenges and derive meaningful lessons.
Win Lwin learned the following lessons from failures throughout his journey:
By harnessing these leadership lessons, Win Lwin strives to navigate through setbacks and failures with a forward-looking perspective, leveraging them as catalysts for innovation, personal and organizational growth, and ultimately, sustained success.
Efficient Time Management
As a successful corporate leader, Win prioritizes work-life balance for well-being and effectiveness. He sets clear boundaries and efficient time management to prevent work from overshadowing his personal life. Henceforth, he delegates tasks to empower his team which helps him to focus on strategic decisions. Beyond work, Win Lwin is passionate about outdoor activities like hiking and adventure travel, providing relaxation and fresh perspectives for personal and professional enrichment.
Win actively supports sustainable practices and environmental conservation, engaging in initiatives for ecological awareness and social responsibility. This aligns with his values, providing a sense of purpose beyond the corporate realm. Additionally, he is an avid reader, exploring literature on history, philosophy, and leadership for continuous personal development and a well-rounded perspective. He maintains a healthy work-life balance and pursues diverse interests that enable him to lead MTB with renewed energy and a holistic approach for the benefit of the organization.
Adapting to Sustainable Operations
Win Lwin recognizes that business leaders will encounter a range of critical challenges and opportunities shortly. Today, leaders grapple with several critical challenges. Global economic uncertainty, heightened by factors like geopolitical tensions and market fluctuations, demands agile responses and strategic planning from business leaders, particularly in the financial industry. Meanwhile, rapid technological advancements, including AI and blockchain, reshape financial services, necessitating proactive digital transformation for competitiveness. The evolving regulatory landscape, encompassing data privacy and cybersecurity, poses ongoing challenges, requiring leaders to stay compliant and adapt for sustainable operations.
Attracting and retaining top talent, especially in fintech and digital banking, is a critical challenge, urging leaders to prioritize talent development and diversity. As markets globalize, leaders must navigate cultural dynamics and geopolitical tensions. Balancing profitability with environmental and social responsibilities is crucial, with leaders expected to prioritize sustainability and ethics. Encouraging innovation while managing day-to-day operations requires fostering creativity without compromising stability. The prominent issue of employee mental health, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges leaders to support wellness empathetically. While big data offers valuable insights, leaders must extract actionable intelligence and avoid analysis paralysis. Lastly, unexpected crises demand swift and effective reactions from leaders to minimize impact and maintain trust.
Long-Term Impact through Investments
Business leaders find opportunities for transformative change and sustainable value creation. The shift towards customer-centric models offers leaders the chance to innovate, with personalized digital banking services, sustainable finance, and socially responsible investments as avenues for growth. Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into practices allows leaders to drive long-term value and societal impact through sustainable finance and responsible investments.
Strategic collaborations with fintech firms and industry partners provide avenues for innovation and growth, enhancing operational efficiency and competitive advantage. With a focus on cybersecurity and risk management, leaders can invest in security measures to establish a secure digital banking environment. Additionally, addressing the financial needs of underserved populations allows leaders to promote financial inclusion, expand access to banking services, and drive positive societal change while capturing new markets. By navigating these challenges and seizing opportunities, business leaders can position their organizations for continued success in the dynamic financial industry.
A Mindset of Perpetual Learning
For aspiring young business leaders, Win Lwin advises them for continuous learning, adaptability, and ethical leadership. He asks them to cultivate a mindset of perpetual learning and personal development and seek diverse perspectives, mentorship, and unconventional wisdom. Win adds, “Embrace adaptability in a dynamic business environment, viewing change as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Ethical leadership, marked by integrity, transparency, and corporate social responsibility, builds trust and positive societal impact.”
Prioritizing empathy and collaboration, fostering a people-centric approach that values team well-being and diverse perspectives. In the face of challenges, maintain resilience and unwavering determination towards vision, learning from setbacks. Finally, promote a culture of innovation, agility, and openness to change, empowering the team to contribute transformative ideas. By embodying these principles, young leaders can confidently navigate industry complexities, lead with integrity, and drive meaningful change and innovation in their organizations and communities.
