A mild catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of a series of α-amino β-keto ester hydrochlorides catalyzed by a rhodium(III) complex is reported. The use of the formic acid/triethylamine system as the hydrogen donor source provided the corresponding anti and syn amino alcohols with complete conversions, fair diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3 dr), and high enantioselectivities (ee up to >99%).