Ho Hong Bank

Seow Poh Leng focused his efforts towards bringing the Ho Hong Bank in line with the well-established "exchange banks" of the Straits Settlements and relying solely on his own study and observation cautiously began foreign exchange activities.

He was joined in his efforts, in 1923, by Dr. H. L. Huang who had existing practical exchange experience.

This, together with close co-operation of the South East Asian (Nanyang) offices and correspondents, transformed this local bank into an important exchange bank in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Malaya.

[6][42][43] The opening of the Shanghai office offered opportunities to send Bank staff there to experience modern exchange operations, a far-sighted policy, the brainchild of Lim Peng Siang and Seow Poh Leng.

Among those sent over to learn under the program implemented by Ko Leong Hoe and Dr. H. L. Huang, included bankers like Chua Keh Hai (Chinese: 蔡克諧; pinyin: Cài Kèxié), Kwa Siew Tee (Chinese: 柯守智; pinyin: Kē Shǒuzhì), Tan Chwee Lee (Chinese: 陳水鯉; pinyin: Chén Shuǐlǐ), Tan Ee Leong (Chinese: 陳維龍; pinyin: Chén Wéilóng) and Yeo Tiam Siew (Chinese: 楊添壽; pinyin: Yáng Tiānshòu).