How much did it pay to run one of Hong Kong’s biggest banks in 2025?
The answer varies sharply, and the numbers look quite different once bank performance enters the picture.
In 2025, Hong Kong’s major banks did not end the year in the same place.
Bank Of China Hong Kong (Holdings), or BOCHK, grew profit, while Hang Seng Bank and Bank of East Asia (BEA) both reported declines.
Leadership changed as well where Hang Seng Bank replaced Diana Cesar with Luanne Lim as Chief Executive in October.
A few months later, HSBC completed its privatisation of Hang Seng in January 2026, taking the bank off the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after decades as a listed company.
Against that backdrop, here is how CEO pay at the three banks compared.
Top 3 Highest-Paid Bank CEOs in Hong Kong in 2025
Last Updated: 14 August 2026.
BEA Pays Its Two Co-CEOs, Who Happen to Be Brothers, HK$21.9 Million Each
Adrian David Li Man-kiu and Brian David Li Man-bun share Bank of East Asia’s (BEA) top executive role and are sons of Executive Chairman Sir David Li Kwok-po.
Each recorded HK$21.9 million in remuneration for 2025, up from HK$21.4 million a year earlier.
Their pay was identical across every disclosed component.
Salaries, allowances and benefits came to HK$8.2 million each, with HK$7.0 million in discretionary bonus, HK$5.4 million in share-based compensation, HK$0.8 million in retirement contributions and HK$0.5 million in directors’ fees.
Part of the total was accounting value rather than cash paid during the year. BEA says its share-option figures reflect fair values amortised over their vesting periods.
Profit attributable to owners of the parent fell 24.0% to HK$3.501 billion, while return on average equity dropped from 4.0% to 3.1%.
BOCHK’s Sun Yu Earns Less Than Half as Much, While Running the Most Profitable Bank
Sun Yu recorded HK$9.638 million in remuneration as Bank of China (Hong Kong), or BOCHK for short, Chief Executive in 2025, up slightly from HK$9.404 million in 2024.
His package included HK$6.733 million in salary, allowances and benefits and a HK$2.905 million bonus.
BOCHK had the strongest earnings of the three.
Profit attributable to equity holders rose 4.9% to HK$40.121 billion, with return on average shareholders’ equity at 11.51%.
It generated more than eleven times BEA’s attributable profit, while Sun Yu’s remuneration came to less than half that of either Li brother.
Luanne Lim Has an HK$8.5 Million Annual Rate, Though Hang Seng Does Not Reveal Her 2025 Pay
Hang Seng Bank changed chief executives late in the year. Diana Cesar stepped down on 20 October 2025, and Luanne Lim took over on the same day.
According to Asian Banker, Lim was appointed on HK$8.5 million in fixed annual remuneration, with a discretionary bonus and other benefits available on top.
She held the role for only part of 2025, so the HK$8.5 million should not be read as what she received during the year.
Hang Seng’s annual report does not disclose individual remuneration for either Lim or Cesar and instead reports directors’ remuneration in aggregate.
Profit attributable to shareholders fell 14.2% to HK$15.762 billion, while return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity declined from 11.3% to 9.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hong Kong Bank CEO Salary
1. Who was the highest-paid bank CEO in Hong Kong in 2025?
Among the three banks compared here, Bank of East Asia Co-Chief Executives Adrian Li and Brian Li recorded the highest disclosed remuneration at HK$21.9 million each.
2. How much did BOCHK CEO Sun Yu receive in 2025?
Sun Yu recorded HK$9.638 million in remuneration, comprising HK$6.733 million in salary, allowances and benefits and a HK$2.905 million bonus.
3. Is Luanne Lim’s HK$8.5 million her actual 2025 pay?
No. The HK$8.5 million is her fixed annual remuneration rate following her appointment as Hang Seng Chief Executive in October 2025.
It excludes discretionary bonus and other benefits, and Hang Seng does not disclose how much she actually received during the part of 2025 she held the role.
4 How much did Bank of East Asia pay its Co-Chief Executives in 2025?
BEA disclosed HK$21.9 million in remuneration for each of its Co-Chief Executives, Adrian Li and Brian Li, up from HK$21.4 million each in 2024.
Their packages were identical across salary, bonus, share-based compensation, retirement contributions and directors’ fees.
5. Which of the three banks was the most profitable in 2025?
BOCHK led by a wide margin, reporting HK$40.121 billion in profit attributable to equity holders. Hang Seng reported HK$15.762 billion, while BEA recorded HK$3.501 billion.
6. Did the highest-paid CEO run the most profitable bank?
No. BEA’s two Co-Chief Executives recorded the highest remuneration in this comparison, while BOCHK produced the highest profit and ROE.
Disclaimer
The BEA and BOCHK figures in this article are based on remuneration disclosed for 2025.
Luanne Lim’s HK$8.5 million figure refers to the fixed annual remuneration attached to her appointment as Hang Seng Bank Chief Executive.
It is not her actual remuneration for the portion of 2025 in which she held the role and does not include discretionary bonus or other benefits.
Hang Seng Bank’s 2025 annual report does not disclose individual remuneration for Lim or her predecessor, Diana Cesar.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong based on an image by user6699736 via Magnific.
Infographic images: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong based on images via the respective bank websites.
