Two names from the past

I would believe that this old image of the staff of Ban Hin Lee Bank Ltd can be found in the House of Yeap Chor Ee, a museum set up by his descendants to remember the old man. At one time, Yeap Chor Ee could have easily been the richest man in Penang. Not only did he run a vast business empire which included this Ban Hin Lee Bank, he owned large tracts of land on the island.

In this picture, taken on 04 November 1939 which was just four years after Ban Hin Lee Bank was incorporated and a year after the bank moved into the beautiful Beach Street premises, the founder was of course seated in the centre. He was flanked by his family members, all also directors of the bank. On his right were Goh Hock Siew (son-in-law) and Yeap Hock Hoe (son) while on his left were Yap Kim Hoe and Yeap Hock Hin (both also his sons). Missing from this picture was his Singapore-based son, Yeap Lean Seng.

The rest of the people were the staff. My former contemporaries from the bank would be interested to know that, standing second from left, was Ong Chin Seng, who had joined the bank in 1935 after completing his schooling. The features were unmistakenly him, no question about it. But in this picture was yet another person whom my former colleagues would know as well: Chew Chik Phoy. The name sprang up as I was scrutinising the names below the picture. There he was, standing right in the centre of the line, directly behind the old man himself.