Michael Ta Ho Yahng – 50th Reunion Essay
Michael Ta Ho Yahng
Flat 7E, Nam Tien Mansion
18C TaikooShing Road
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Spouse(s): Susan (1973)
Child(ren): David, (1987)
Education: Harvard MBA, 1975
National Service: US Navy 1970–1973
Career: Banker, Bank Boston 1975–1997, Silicon Valley Bank, 2008–2014
Avocations: tennis, fishing, golf, reading
College: Timothy Dwight
After graduation, my draft number was 55, so I enlisted in the Navy OCS. Was in the Naval Security Group for three and a half years, one year at the language school in Monterey, California, and the rest of the time I was stationed in Taipei. Terrific time in the navy. Post-navy, Harvard MBA (Class of ’75). Twenty-two-year career at Bank Boston. From 19932014, involved in banking primarily in Hong Kong and China. Retired end of 2014.
Meaningful highlights include: 2002–03 Shenzhen Development Bank CEO representing Newbridge Capital who were purchasing controlling interest. 2008–14 assisted Silicon Valley Bank in China and helped SVB obtain a banking license in 2011 of a de novo 50/50 JV bank with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank focused on banking indigenous technology companies in China. This was the first JV bank license granted in China since 1997.
Forty-five years of marriage to the same wife. Son David is working for Nike. Both are doing well.
My years in Hong Kong and China produced two primary feelings.
1) I felt that I was a good blend of western values plus rediscovery of my Chinese heritage. I understood Westerners better than the local Chinese and understood and related to local Chinese better than my western colleagues.
2) I have tremendous respect and appreciation for China’s rapid transformation socially, economically, and politically over the past 25 years and feel fortunate to have experienced this firsthand. However, I also developed deep concerns over pollution, the huge disparity between rich and poor, and the pervasive involvement of the Chinese government in all aspects of society. Also I witnessed in China the “capitalism at any cost” mentality and methodology at every level plus the persecution of individuals whenever any problems or tragedies occurred.
Following my retirement at the end of 2014, my wife and I spend about 50 percent of our time in the San Francisco area and 50 percent in Hong Kong.
I am extremely grateful for my time at Yale and for my continuing close relationship with my roommates, Ed Bartlett and David Bannard and their families. Looking forward to the 50th reunion and the many years to come.
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