Meet the humans behind ‘Wendy and Wayne’, OCBC’s virtual wealth avatars
OCBC head of wealth advisory Chez Anbu says early feedback from users has been encouraging.
Terissa Chang and Ethan Peh, both 40-year-old OCBC employees, have become the human counterparts to the digital avatars Wendy and Wayne. The pair, who previously worked as senior cabin crew for Singapore Airlines, now serve as the faces of OCBC's artificial intelligence initiative, which aims to enhance the bank's wealth management services.
The OCBC WoW app, which is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, incorporates the AI avatars to provide sophisticated portfolio analysis and support the bank's wealth management services. Chang and Peh underwent rigorous training, including two filming sessions, to deliver natural and engaging performances. They found their new roles as the bank's digital ambassadors challenging, but rewarding, as they strive to maintain the warmth and approachability that customers have come to expect from Wendy and Wayne.
OCBC's head of wealth advisory, Chez Anbu, emphasized the importance of selecting candidates who embody the right blend of eloquence and warmth. The bank's initiative to integrate AI into its services is part of a broader "next frontier" strategy to harness technology and drive growth, with a commitment to invest over $1 billion annually in technology over the next few years.
While the avatars can provide valuable information and support to customers, it is important to note that they are not licensed financial advisors. Customers are encouraged to speak with their client advisers for personalized investment advice. Should Chang or Peh choose to leave the bank, their digital likenesses would be replaced by those of other OCBC employees to ensure the continuity of the avatars.
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