History
Asia Hands History
The history of Asia Hands Society spans nearly 50 years. In the 1970s, as trade with Asian countries was expanding, bankers returning to New York from branch offices across the region maintained both an expertise in doing business in Asia as well as a network of contacts from their time abroad. Their banks hosted a large number of receptions and functions attended by these U.S.-based bankers who shared a continued interest in Asian affairs. With great pride, these senior-level bankers referred to themselves as “Old Asia Hands.”
These bank gatherings provided attendees opportunities for maintaining close relationships from their time overseas, sharing business observations and swapping stories of their early days of international banking in Asia. The reception network was reinforced by a series of lunches that rotated among smaller groups.
Burgis Coates, who was then with investment management firm Schroders, initiated an idea that the American bankers who had worked in, or traveled for business to, Asia should form a social organization to facilitate annual gatherings to keep the spirit, closeness and camaraderie of those early years alive.
Since all good ideas require a working committee, Burgis gathered Walter Berzin of Chemical Bank, Paul Foley of the Thai Farmers Bank, Sherwood Hanft of The Bank of New York, Lloyd Lambe of United Bank of California, Harold Smith of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, and Bob Wynn of JP Morgan Bank to bring the idea into reality.
The organization was originally founded as the Old Asia Hands Society. The group would meet once a year and the theme for each gathering would change from one Asian country to another. Shortly thereafter, the inaugural dinner was held at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue in New York with Burgis Coates as the Dinner Chairman. These annual dinners continue to this day, and have featured speakers addressing economic, political and cultural areas of interest to our members.
Since its inception, Asia Hands’ membership has grown and expanded to include many more nationalities, an increased representation of women, and professionals with careers in a wide range of areas including a variety of industries, not-for-profit institutions and government. Our members reside across the U.S. and increasingly around the globe.