Singaporean brands hit by Hong Kong protests

Several local firms have been affected by the protests in Hong Kong. DBS Group Holdings and OCBC Bank were two local brands which ceased operations because of growing unrest.DBS confirmed to Marketing that its branches at United Centre, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok will be suspended until further notice but all other branches and business functions are operating as usual. The bank also asked customers to use the DBS’ online/mobile banking services in the interim.Meanwhile a spokesperson from OCBC said that this morning, Wing Hang Bank Mong Kok branch has re-opened and only Wing Hang Bank United Centre branch at Admiralty remains closed.“Both OCBC and our subsidiary, Wing Hang Bank, have in place business continuity and crisis response plans to deal with situations such as this.  At all times, our priority is to safeguard the stability of our operations and the well-being of our staff while minimising the disruptions to customers as far as possible,” said Patrick Chew, head of operational Risk Management, OCBC Bank.Meanwhile traditional Chinese medicine group Eu Yan Sang told The Straits Times that it has closed one of its stores at Causeway Bay. According to group CEO Richard Eu, the brand is currently monitoring the situation and its primary concern is for its staff and customers. Eu Yan Sang was however unable to respond to Marketing's queries at the time of writing.