04-08-2025
The subtle, yet impactful role financial representatives play in times that matter
Whether it is managing medical claims, end-of-life decisions or building an education fund, these Prudential Singapore financial representatives bring empathy and clarity at every step
From left: Prudential financial representatives Wang Ying, Jean Guan, and Zhang Yun Hao help clients build confidence in planning for their health and wealth.
What began as a routine chat about a savings plan became a life saver for a young woman. She bought a medical insurance plan which covered her treatment when illness struck five years later.
Ms Wang Ying, 31, a senior executive wealth manager at
Prudential Singapore , remembers the case clearly. The customer, then in her mid-20s, was healthy and just starting her financial journey when she approached Ms Wang to grow her savings. But something was missing.
'She didn't have any hospitalisation coverage. I told her, before anything else, she needs to have an Integrated Shield Plan as it builds on her MediShield Life coverage,' says Ms Wang.
'I have customers who have benefitted from having a Shield plan as they have a wider range of healthcare options and are better protected against large medical bills in times of unexpected medical emergency.'
The client took her advice and purchased the medical insurance plan. Today, she is in remission, married and has bought her first home.
'It's been incredibly heartening to see her moving forward with such strength and positivity,' says Ms Wang.
'One of the biggest misconceptions is that health insurance can wait. In fact, it should be the first plan you consider, especially when you're young, healthy and likely free from chronic illness.'
Start with health, then build wealth
Ms Wang Ying, a senior executive wealth manager, has been with Prudential for almost 10 years and credits her growth to comprehensive product trainings and meaningful hands-on experiences.
PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE
At Prudential, financial representatives (FRs) are trained to take a health-first approach, ensuring their customers are adequately protected for hospitalisation and critical illness before building their wealth portfolios.
'Health insurance provides peace of mind. When customers know they are protected, they are ready to plan for the future,' says Ms Wang. With that foundation in place, she then guides her clients towards personalised financial planning strategies tailored to their goals.
Ms Wang has been with Prudential for nearly a decade. Since 2018, she has been a member of Prudential's President's Club – the company's top honour for excellence – and has achieved the Top of the Table (TOT) accolade three times, the highest tier of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) benchmark.
MDRT is a global association of top financial professionals in the insurance and financial services industry. Members are expected to uphold strong ethics and professionalism and often mentor others while supporting their peers' development.
Ms Wang credits her growth to Prudential's product trainings and the hands-on learning that comes from walking customers through real-life claims. 'Experience is the best teacher,' she adds.
Impact in every step
As a financial services director, Ms Jean Guan champions Prudential's MDRT culture of sharing and guides her team to navigate challenges and discover purpose in their work.
PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE
For Ms Jean Guan, 39, the interest to prioritise insurance is personal. At 16, she lost her father in an accident. He had no health coverage.
'The emotional toll was heavy, but the financial strain made it even harder,' says Ms Guan. 'I've spent my entire career trying to make sure other families don't have to go through what I did.'
That early loss has shaped Ms Guan's approach to her work throughout her 16-year career at Prudential.
When a close friend passed away overseas during a trip, Ms Guan found some comfort in being able to support the grieving family – handling the claims process and ensuring they had the financial relief they needed during a difficult time. For her, moments like these are a powerful reminder of the value behind the work that she does.
Today, Ms Guan is a financial services director who has achieved 5 TOTs and 15 MDRTs, and leads a team of 13 FRs at Prudential. She describes her leadership style as empathetic and someone who walks the talk.
'I believe in mentorship through action. I lead by doing – attending joint appointments with my FRs, sharing knowledge during trainings, and planning ahead,' she says.
Her leadership is grounded in what she calls 'heartwork': Guiding others to grow through discomfort, stretch beyond their limits, and find fulfilment in serving with sincerity and purpose.
Ms Guan is also a strong advocate of Prudential's MDRT sharing culture, where top-performing FRs across agencies come together to learn, grow and exchange best practices, raising the bar for customer service. She frequently attends global MDRT conferences and brings insights back to mentor her team.
'This career is not just about numbers. It's about creating impact,' she says. 'I fight for dreams, protect legacies, and remind people they are worth planning for.'
Nurturing the next generation
Ms Guan's commitment to mentorship reflects a broader culture at Prudential – one that values growth and collaboration.
One rising star who embodies this growth mindset is 23-year-old senior financial consultant Zhang Yun Hao, who became a Court of the Table (COT) achiever just two and a half years after joining Prudential straight out of university. The COT accolade is a higher level of recognition within the MDRT, awarded to top performers in the global insurance and financial services industry.
A business graduate, Mr Zhang was first drawn to Prudential after attending a networking session for potential recruits, where he met his future team. Their warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression.
It is a quality he now brings to his own client relationships. 'I always start by really understanding my customer's goals, responsibilities and concerns,' says Mr Zhang.
Senior Financial Consultant Zhang Yun Hao reached Court of the Table status in two and a half years, thanks to Prudential's strong training ecosystem and mentorship.
PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE
He once assisted a customer who was planning for his daughter's future education in Italy. Although the customer was uncertain about the types of plans he needed, his goal was clear – to give his daughter the best support possible.
Mr Zhang guided him through the entire process, from estimating education and living expenses, to mapping out timelines and discussing whether his daughter might return to Singapore after graduation.
'My customer reviewed his financial plan and optimised his investments to ensure his daughter's education is well funded while maintaining his own financial stability for the future,' he adds.
Mr Zhang credits his rapid growth to Prudential's strong training ecosystem. Programmes like the enhanced Management Associate Programme and Financial Consultant Induction Programme provided him with deep product knowledge, strategic planning skills, and opportunities to shadow senior financial representatives during high-net-worth (HNW) client meetings.
One day, Mr Zhang hopes to take on a managerial role, guiding the next generation of financial representatives to achieve MDRT, COT, or TOT status early in their careers, while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service.
'Just a year into my career, my agency leader drew up a career plan for me to ensure it's aligned with my aspirations of becoming a leader. I see myself growing with the company and helping more people get the protection they need to be financially prepared for the future,' says Mr Zhang.
Mr Rom Lee, Prudential's chief agency officer, says the stories shared by Ms Wang, Ms Guan, and Mr Zhang embody the MDRT culture of sharing and reflect the company's guiding principles – empathy, trust and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
'Their dedication to protection-first planning, mentorship and long-term customer care exemplifies the company's vision of being a trusted partner through every stage of life,' he says.
'When they live these values and inspire others to do the same, they strengthen the driving force behind our agency's impact, ensuring every customer feels valued, supported and cared for.'
