For most, the thought of closing one’s career chapter often sets in around age 60; some might even think about retiring earlier. But for 91-year-old Rita Chew, stopping work isn’t on the cards just yet.
The remisier recently marked five decades at Lim & Tan Securities, having joined the brokerage when it opened its doors in 1974. Time clearly hasn’t worn away her enthusiasm for her work: she shows up every weekday at 9am, cane in hand and flashing her signature bright smile.
Chew’s career started when she was just 14. Raised by her adoptive grandparents, she learned shorthand and typing — skills that would later serve her well. Her first major job was at the Australian High Commission, a position that opened doors to opportunities she hadn’t dreamed of before.
It was during this time that she met Nancy Lim, who would become a longtime friend, mentor and “lifesaver”. Lim, who was working at Ong & Co when they first met, asked Chew to join the firm as an assistant dealer in 1971. Two years later, Lim founded Lim & Tan Securities and invited Chew to join the company.
Riding the waves of change
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Chew’s career has spanned decades of tremendous change in the financial markets. When she first started, stock-trading work was manual and labour-intensive. “We used paper certificates back then,” she tells Options. “Everything was done by hand.”
The industry has since moved from manual systems and physical certificates to digital platforms that allow investors to trade from their smartphones. Chew notes that in the past, remisiers had to personally deliver stock certificates to clients, sometimes taking days for transactions to finalise. Today, trades can be completed within seconds through digital platforms.
While Chew appreciates the ease that technology has brought to the industry, she is quick to acknowledge the challenges that come with modern stock trading. With so many investors and platforms now accessible, competition is fiercer than ever. Ivan Gan, a colleague of hers at Lim & Tan, adds that competition has intensified, and newer regulations like two-factor authentication adding new layers of complexity for remisiers today.
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Despite these changes, Chew remains undeterred, maintaining her steady approach to the profession. She says her philosophy has always been to prioritise her clients’ interests, a strategy that has helped her maintain long-standing relationships across generations. She has served some families for multiple generations, with parents introducing their children to her services, keeping her business thriving even as the industry evolves.
Over the course of her career, Chew has built a reputation for honesty, diligence and reliability, qualities she credits with keeping her client base intact. “If you’re honest and do things the right way, clients will introduce their friends and family to you,” she says.
While Chew humbly downplays her achievements, her colleagues and clients readily celebrate her work. In March, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Remisiers Singapore (SRS), in recognition of her dedication to her work and clients.
Chew attributes much of her success to the mentorship she received from Lim. “Without her pushing me, I wouldn’t be here today,” she says, explaining that Lim’s guidance and encouragement helped her overcome the challenges she faced as someone without formal education in finance.
‘Too many to remember’
For Chew, working isn’t just about earning a living. “In old age, it’s good to have something to keep your mind going,” she says. As someone who values both her professional and personal relationships, she emphasises the importance of maintaining friendships and staying active.
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While Chew has given up some of her hobbies, such as sewing — something she once excelled in, even making a cheongsam for Lim — she continues to enjoy church activities and spending time with friends. “If you have no friends, life is not interesting,” she adds with a smile.
Chew’s career as a remisier is filled with memorable experiences and milestones. When asked about her most rewarding moments, she simply says: “Too many to remember.” Even at 91, she has no plans to slow down. “Ninety, not nineteen,” she quips, showing that her sense of humour and determination are as strong as ever.
As remisiers in Singapore face the challenges of an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced financial landscape, Chew’s story stands as a reminder that success is built on relationships and a willingness to embrace change. For her, the thrill of helping clients navigate the market, along with the camaraderie of her colleagues, makes every day at work worth it.
Reflecting on her journey thus far, the North Star remains clear for Chew: her love for the job and the joy she finds in helping others has kept her going. And for as long as she’s able, retirement will remain firmly off the table.
