New Representative in Singapore

© Darrell Loh

08.07.2026

Since April, Matthias Vogel has been the new representative of the Bundesbank in Singapore. On July 3, he was officially inaugurated into his office by Board Member Burkhard Balz at the residence of the German Ambassador.

Matthias Vogel began his career in 2010 as a trainee at the Bundesbank. After a stint at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, he coordinated the Committee on Financial Stability at the Bundesbank. From 2015 to 2020, he served as deputy head of the Tokyo representation. Upon returning to Germany, Vogel worked in the area of the International Monetary Fund and the G20. With his move to Singapore, Vogel builds on his experience in international financial diplomacy.

Balz highlights Singapore's growing importance

© Darrell Loh

In her welcome address, the German Ambassador, Dr. Bettina Fanghänel, thanked Board Member Balz for his visit and his long-term commitment to bilateral relations with Singapore. In his speech, Balz emphasized Singapore's significance as "one of the world's leading financial centers, a hub for trade and innovation – and Germany's gateway to the region."

More than 2,000 German companies have made Singapore their base for Southeast Asia. For a central bank as well, this region is a place of learning: "Nowhere else in the world is the world of payments developing as dynamically as here," explained the Bundesbank Board Member.

© Darrell Loh

The Bundesbank's engagement in this region has a tradition of more than two decades, Balz explained. The representative's mandate extends far beyond Singapore. "It also includes monitoring economic and financial developments throughout Southeast Asia and building a personal network with central banks, supervisory authorities, financial institutions, and many other partners," Balz stated. Therefore, a second staff member, Antonia Welck, will strengthen the representation in the future and support Matthias Vogel in his tasks.