Credentials & Achievements

Brandon Choo
Senior Personal Wealth Manager
(SP-Brilliance, AIA SG)

My Story

Like many of my peers, I spent most of my university years priming myself for the banking industry. Internships at private banks, stints in wealth management, working 10-12 hours a day chasing revenues for the bank. I thought that was what I’d truly wanted for my life. After all, my dad had seen his best years in senior management at a local bank, and it was only normal that I would follow his footsteps and forge the same path for myself in the corporate world. Deep down inside however, something was always missing. But I could never put a finger to it. 

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One day, I found my answer. One of my first few clients that I had served in the early days of my career reached out to me, and it was bad news. Third stage Myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare form of blood cancer. Even with my best efforts, I could not get a sufficient payout for him, his wife and 2 kids. There was a $200k protection gap that should have been covered but was not, even though he had met with many advisors throughout his life. 

After one particularly difficult day at work, I went to my dad and told him that I had enough. I had gone to my client’s home for a visit and his wife broke down uncontrollably when I went through the claims and she realised that this was just the start of her nightmare. She would have to find a way to bring up the kids all by herself. I didn’t want to feel this guilt anymore, and leaving corporate for insurance would allow me to service my clients in a way that would be mutually beneficial. 

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To my surprise, my dad gave me his fullest support. “Son, you are always disposable to employers, no matter how hard you work. But give your best to your customers and they will remember you for life.” 

I made that decision in 2018. 2 MDRTs and many happy clients later, I can truly say that I have found that something missing. Purpose and control over how I spend my time, which are the best things one could ask for.