From Zero to Award-Winning Fintech Leader: Eric Dai on Championing Responsible Innovation

Eric Dai, Chief Information Officer at Bank of America (China),  has built a distinguished career at the intersection of finance, technology, and rigorous regulation. From designing and delivering a foreign financial institution's China IT governance framework and securing key operating licences from scratch, to launching market-first credit card products under complex regulatory environments, Eric has consistently pushed the boundaries of responsible innovation.

Alongside his professional career, Eric remains closely connected to Nanyang Business School (NBS) as an Alumni Advisory Board member, alumni mentor, and active member of the NTU Gobi Team Alumni Association. He is also serving in the NTU Alumni Association (Shanghai).


What are your top career achievements?

Building a regulated IT franchise from zero. 
I led the design and delivery of a foreign financial institution’s China IT governance framework, processes, data centre, and core systems. We recruited and developed a high-performing team, successfully navigated all regulatory reviews, and secured the operating licence. Our leadership and values during this complex project earned a prestigious APAC Award.

Launching a market-first credit card product. 
Under one of the most complex regulatory environments, I led the team that successfully delivered the first credit card issued by a foreign bank in China, earning organisational recognition for the breakthrough.

Championing responsible innovation in finance. 
I have consistently explored and championed the ethical development of cutting-edge technologies—including virtualisation, cloud computing, and AI applications—helping shape the technology roadmaps of the global organisations I have served.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learned throughout your career?

Win-Win Thinking. 
Always seek to understand the real needs and pain points of peers, clients, regulators, and stakeholders, and find the common ground where everyone's interests align. Creating genuine value for others is the surest path to your own success.

Be Patient. 
Even when effort doesn't produce immediate returns, don't be discouraged. With persistence and refinement, you will eventually stand out.

Stay True to Your Principles. 
Hold firm to your code of conduct and integrity. True success is not measured by how fast you move in the moment, but by how steadily and sustainably you grow over the long term.

How has being an NBS alumnus contributed to your career growth?

The NBS alumni network has been a valuable part of my career. It has given me opportunities to engage with faculty in finance and technology, learn from alumni with deep industry experience, and stay connected to developments across the business community. The school also curates a rich calendar of high-quality, forward-looking events across the region, including forums, panel discussions, and fireside chats. These create valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, learn emerging best practices, and translate fresh thinking into real-world impact.

In an era supercharged by AI, lifelong learning is no longer optional. NBS provides alumni with outstanding resources and support to stay current, remain competitive, and ultimately give back to the community and the School.

Eric Dai (left) at an NBS alumni networking event in Shanghai,
where he connected with senior NBS leaders and alumni. 

Eric Dai delivering the welcome remarks at the inaugural AI Industry Project Showcase
- NTU Frontiers, organised by the NTU Shanghai Alumni Association on 18 September 2026 in Shanghai, China.

What advice would you give to current NBS students and young alumni?

Be Proactive and Accountable. 
Take ownership and always follow through. Trust is built one commitment at a time.

Think Beyond Your Assignment. 
Don’t limit yourself to the task at hand. Understand the underlying logic, connect the dots from point to line to system, so that when the moment comes, you are ready to take on extra responsibility—that’s what takes you from good to great.

Stay Curious and Keep Learning. 
Especially in this AI-powered era. AI will not replace humans, but those who master AI will likely replace those who don’t.

How do you balance your professional life with personal interests and commitments?

Learn to manage time systematically. My workdays are intense, but I deliberately set aside time to keep up with frontier technologies and to give myself small, fun side projects where I can apply what I learn—keeping my software and hardware skills from getting rusty.

Outside of work, I am an avid ultrarunner and marathoner. The mountains test my willpower and self-discipline, and in return give me the mental and physical balance I need to show up fully—both at work and in life.

Eric Dai and his partner were named champions of the A+ Team Category at the 14th Gobi Challenge

For Eric, the career path may be demanding and complex, but his approach has remained consistent: seek win-win outcomes, stay patient, and maintain a relentless commitment to learning. This mindset has taken him from building regulated IT systems from scratch to driving responsible innovation in fintech, while keeping him deeply connected to the NBS community along the way.