Sep 1, 1962 CE
Cathay Life Insurance Founded
Cathay Life Insurance was established in Taiwan, initially offering life insurance products. It would later become the cornerstone of Cathay Financial Holding.
Chronological Storyline (35 Milestones)
1963 CE
First Life Insurance Product Launched
Cathay Life launched its first life insurance policy, focusing on whole life and endowment plans. This marked the beginning of its dominance in Taiwan's insurance market.
1970 CE
Expansion into Property and Casualty Insurance
Cathay Life diversified into property and casualty insurance, offering a broader range of risk management products. This move strengthened its market position.
1985 CE
Real Estate Investment Expansion
Cathay Life began large-scale real estate investments, acquiring office buildings and commercial properties across Taiwan. This provided a stable income stream and asset growth.
1991 CE
Largest Life Insurer in Taiwan
Cathay Life became the largest life insurance company in Taiwan by premium income, a position it has maintained for decades. This achievement solidified its market leadership.
1995 CE
Founded Cathay Medical Center
Cathay Life established Cathay Medical Center, a healthcare subsidiary, diversifying into medical services. This initiative integrated health insurance with medical care.
Aug 31, 2001 CE
Cathay Financial Holding Established
Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. was formed as a holding company, listing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. It consolidated Cathay Life, Cathay United Bank, and other subsidiaries under one umbrella.
Sep 1, 2001 CE
Listed on Taiwan Stock Exchange
Cathay Financial Holding began trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2882. The IPO raised capital for further expansion.
Aug 1, 2002 CE
Acquired Cathay United Bank
Cathay Financial Holding acquired Cathay United Bank, expanding into retail and corporate banking. This merger created a comprehensive financial services group.
Jun 1, 2003 CE
Acquired Cathay Century Insurance
The holding company acquired Cathay Century Insurance, adding property and casualty insurance capabilities. This completed its insurance portfolio.
Mar 1, 2004 CE
Acquired Cathay Securities
Cathay Financial Holding acquired Cathay Securities, entering the brokerage and investment banking sector. This move rounded out its financial services offerings.
Oct 1, 2004 CE
Opened Representative Office in Beijing
Cathay Financial Holding opened a representative office in Beijing, China, marking its first step into the mainland Chinese market. This paved the way for future cross-strait operations.
Jul 1, 2005 CE
Established Cathay Futures and Cathay Venture Capital
Cathay Futures and Cathay Venture Capital were formed to offer derivatives trading and private equity investments, respectively. These subsidiaries enhanced the group's financial product range.
Nov 1, 2005 CE
Joint Venture with Techcombank in Vietnam
Cathay formed a joint venture with Vietnam's Techcombank to offer life insurance products. This marked its entry into the Southeast Asian market.
Sep 1, 2006 CE
Launched Cathay Life Insurance (Cambodia)
Cathay established a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary in Cambodia, expanding its footprint in emerging Asia. This subsidiary targeted local life insurance demand.
Apr 1, 2007 CE
Acquired Global Investment Services
Cathay acquired Global Investment Services, a Taiwan-based asset management firm, to strengthen its wealth management capabilities. This move increased assets under management.
Dec 1, 2008 CE
Global Financial Crisis Impact
The 2008 financial crisis caused Cathay's net profit to decline sharply due to investment losses. The group implemented risk management measures to stabilize finances.
Jun 1, 2009 CE
Acquired Taiwan's Taiping Life Insurance
Cathay acquired Taiping Life Insurance, a small local insurer, to expand its market share and distribution network. This acquisition was part of post-crisis consolidation.
Mar 1, 2010 CE
Joint Venture with Conning Asset Management
Cathay partnered with Conning, a US-based asset manager, to form Cathay Conning Asset Management. This joint venture focused on global investment strategies.
Aug 1, 2011 CE
Launched Cathay Financial Innovation Lab
Cathay established an innovation lab to develop digital banking, InsurTech, and blockchain solutions. This marked a shift toward technology-driven services.
May 1, 2012 CE
Acquired Taiwan's Chinatrust Life Insurance
Cathay acquired Chinatrust Life Insurance from CTBC Financial, adding to its life insurance portfolio. The deal increased Cathay's market dominance.
Oct 1, 2013 CE
Launched Cathay Life's 'Smart Health' Program
Cathay Life introduced a health management program integrating wearable devices and telemedicine. This product combined insurance with preventive healthcare.
Jul 1, 2014 CE
Launched Cathay Mobile Banking App
Cathay United Bank launched its mobile banking app, allowing customers to perform transactions, transfers, and payments via smartphone. This boosted digital engagement.
Nov 1, 2015 CE
Issued First Green Bond in Taiwanese Financial Sector
Cathay Financial Holding issued Taiwan's first green bond by a financial institution, raising NT$1 billion for renewable energy projects. This emphasized sustainability.
Apr 1, 2016 CE
Launched AI-Powered Robo-Advisor
Cathay Securities launched a robo-advisor using artificial intelligence to provide automated investment advice. This innovation targeted retail investors.
Jan 1, 2017 CE
Chairman Transition to Lee Chang-ken
Daniel Tsai stepped down as chairman, succeeded by Lee Chang-ken, who led a new phase of digital transformation and international expansion.
Jun 1, 2018 CE
Acquired HSBC Taiwan's Insurance Agency Business
Cathay Life acquired HSBC's insurance agency in Taiwan, expanding its bancassurance distribution network. This deal strengthened partnership with HSBC.
Dec 1, 2019 CE
Total Assets Exceed NT$10 Trillion
Cathay Financial Holding's total assets surpassed NT$10 trillion (approx. US$330 billion), making it one of the largest financial groups in Asia.
Mar 1, 2020 CE
COVID-19 Business Continuity and Digital Surge
The pandemic accelerated Cathay's digital transformation, with a 40% increase in online transactions. Remote work and digital services were rapidly deployed.
Aug 1, 2021 CE
20th Anniversary and Launch of Cathay Digital Bank
Cathay launched a fully digital bank, Cathay Digital Bank, offering no-frills accounts and mobile-first services. This marked a major step in fintech.
Feb 1, 2022 CE
Partnership with Google Cloud for AI and Data Analytics
Cathay partnered with Google Cloud to leverage AI and big data for risk assessment, customer insights, and operational efficiency. This enhanced its technology capabilities.
Sep 1, 2022 CE
Launched Blockchain-Based Insurance Product
Cathay Life introduced a blockchain-enabled smart contract insurance product for flight delays, automating claims payments. This was an early application of blockchain in insurance.
Apr 1, 2023 CE
Acquired Citibank's Taiwan Consumer Banking Business
Cathay United Bank acquired Citibank's consumer banking operations in Taiwan, gaining credit card and wealth management clients. This significantly expanded its retail footprint.
Oct 1, 2023 CE
Launched Cathay Sustainability Fund
Cathay launched a sustainability-focused investment fund, aligning with ESG criteria. The fund invested in green bonds and renewable energy projects.
Jun 1, 2024 CE
Ranked in Forbes Global 2000
Cathay Financial Holding was included in the Forbes Global 2000 list, reflecting its financial strength, revenue, and market value. It remains one of Taiwan's top conglomerates.