From Banking Foundations to Global Ambitions: Ethan’s Journey with NYP

A stellar achiever on the Director’s List throughout his studies in NYP’s Diploma in Banking & Finance, Ethan Cheng Jun Wei (Class of 2023) shares how he built an outstanding portfolio for university.

Published on 09 Jan 2025
University

Through group projects, mentorship programmes, and industry partnerships, Ethan built invaluable connections with classmates and lecturers that enriched his academic experience. 

"NYP sharpened my communication and interpersonal skills tremendously, which have been invaluable both inside and outside the classroom. The modules were practical, engaging, and equipped me with the skills I needed to thrive in the dynamic world of finance.

 

I remember starting my journey feeling hesitant to share my ideas during class discussions. But by the end, I was presenting confidently to a large group of audience. 

 

This growth is a testament to the supportive environment at NYP and the encouragement from my lecturers and peers.”

Ethan’s strategic thinking, dedication and competitive drive earned him opportunities to demonstrate exceptional leadership beyond his studies, leading to significant accolades.

  • As Vice President of the NYP Investment Club, Ethan fostered a culture of collaboration and financial literacy among peers.
  • As Secretary & Treasurer of the Singapore FinTech Youth Chapter (SFYC), Ethan reached out and inspired future financial technology leaders through advocacy and awareness initiatives.
  • At the Huawei TECH4CITY Competition, Ethan and his team won the Popularity Award among eight finalist teams. Their proposal featured an AI detection platform that uses machine learning and big data to verify sustainability claims, ensuring that retail investors make informed decisions. 
  • Ethan and his team won the 2022 CME Group University Trading Challenge, achieving a 131.5% return that grew their trading balance from USD500,000 to over USD1.15 million. They ranked 7th place globally out of 491 teams from 208 universities, surpassing Ivy League teams like MIT, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Right picture: Ethan (2nd from right) and his teammate receiving their award at the Huawei TECH4CITY Competition.

Building strong friendships with his course mates, Ethan (rightmost in left picture) actively gained confidence to share his ideas and present to a large group of audience.

With an unwavering commitment to his ambitions, Ethan earned the prestigious NYP-IMAS (Investment Management Association of Singapore) Scholarship – awarded to the top two second-year Banking & Finance students. He graduated at top of his cohort and received the UOB Asset Management Gold Award for his achievements.

 

Now a Business undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, the aspiring banking investor aims to refine his trading expertise, network with like-minded individuals, and eventually build a career in investment banking. 

"I intend to pursue a career in investment banking preferably in a bulge bracket bank like Bank of America particularly under the Mergers & Acquisitions product group as I strive to one day oversee facilitating an M&A sell-side deal for large corporations. I believe the financial modelling, time management and interpersonal skills that I learnt at NYP will greatly benefit me in the foreseeable future."

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