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Major Milestones 1933 - 2008

1933	Hang Seng Ngan Ho commences business as a small money-changing shop at 70 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. In its first year of operation, it records a net profit of HKD10,389.
1952	Hang Seng is incorporated as a private limited company and embarks on commercial banking.
1960	Hang Seng becomes a public company.
1965	The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation acquires a 51% interest in Hang Seng (subsequently increased to 62.14%).
1967	Hang Seng pioneers seven-year residential mortgages in Hong Kong.
1969	The Hang Seng Index is launched as a public service. The Index has been internationally-recognised as Hong Kong's main stock market indicator.
1972	Hang Seng is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The initial public offering was oversubscribed by nearly 29 times, totalling HKD2.8 billion and equivalent to nearly half the government's revenue in 1971.
1981	Hang Seng is granted a franchise to operate branches in Mass Transit Railway stations.
1985	The Bank establishes a presence in mainland China with the opening of a representative office in Shenzhen.
1995	Hang Seng opens its first Mainland branch in Guangzhou.
1996	The Bank launches a more modern corporate identity.
1997	Hang Seng receives approval to open a branch in Shanghai shortly after the territory's reunification with China.
2000	Personal e-Banking services are launched in Hong Kong.
2002	The Shanghai branch launches renminbi services for foreign passport holders; citizens of the Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan; and foreign-invested enterprises. The Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen branches begin foreign currency services for Mainland citizens and corporations. Business e-Banking services are launched in Hong Kong. Personal e-Banking services are launched on the Mainland.
2003	Managing for Value: From the start of 1999 until the end of 2003, the Bank achieves a total return of 106.3% for shareholders, which is substantially more than the average return of 46.2% recorded by Hang Seng Index constituents over the same period. In absolute terms, the total shareholder value increases by HKD140.7 billion. Hang Seng opens its Nanjing branch and first Mainland sub-branch on Huai Hai Zhong Road in Puxi, Shanghai. Business e-Banking services are launched on the Mainland for customers to check transaction records and account balances. The Guangzhou branch offers renminbi services to foreign passport holders; citizens of the Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan; and foreign-invested enterprises. Hang Seng signs an agreement on 17 December with Industrial Bank Co. Ltd to acquire 15.98% of Industrial Bank's enlarged capital for HKD1.6 billion in cash. This makes Hang Seng the largest foreign investor in a Mainland bank both in terms of invested capital and percentage of shareholding.
	Hang Seng opens its Macau branch.
2004	Hang Seng begins offering renminbi services at its Shenzhen branch to foreign passport holders; foreign-invested enterprises; and citizens of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Renminbi services, including deposits, exchange and remittances, are introduced in Hong Kong branches of Hang Seng. Shenzhen branch receives approval to offer renminbi services to domestic companies on the Mainland. Hang Seng completes its 15.98% acquisition of Industrial Bank after making a payment of RMB1,726 million (approximately HK$1,626 million). Hang Seng receives a QFII Investment Quota, allowing the Bank to begin investing in the Mainland stock market and develop A-share related services. Later in the year, the Bank launches its “A Share Investment Services”, which give Hong Kong and overseas investors the opportunity to invest directly in A shares and related investments on the Mainland. Fuzhou branch receives approval to offer renminbi services to foreign passport holders; foreign-invested enterprises; and citizens of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. New sub-branch opens in Gubei, Shanghai. Hang Seng Bank’s strategic partner, Industrial Bank, introduces its first international dual currency credit card bearing the Hang Seng logo.
2005	Hang Seng becomes the first Hong Kong financial institution to receive ISO 14001 certification for its sound environmental practices. Hang Seng opens its first Shenzhen sub-branch. Hang Seng and Japan Airlines jointly launch a credit card. Hang Seng Insurance Company Limited and Hang Seng Life Limited respectively celebrate their 40th and 10th anniversaries. Fuzhou branch relocates to larger premises to capitalise on growing business opportunities in Fujian Province. Hang Seng and Industrial Bank jointly establish a credit card centre on the Mainland. The Hang Seng FTSE / Xinhua China 25 Index Exchange-traded Fund is launched and listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Hang Seng opens a Dongguan representative office. Hang Seng upgrades its Beijing representative office to a branch. Hang Seng's investment quota under its Mainland QFII securities investment business permit is doubled to US$100 million. Hang Seng launches a renminbi forward foreign exchange contracts service at its Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Fuzhou branches. The number of Hang Seng outlets in Shanghai increases to four with the opening of Xujiahui sub-branch. Hang Seng is among the first group of banks to launch retail renminbi non-deliverable forward contracts in Hong Kong. Hang Seng offers business customers in Hong Kong renminbi deposit accounts. Hang Seng's Fuzhou branch receives approval to expand its services to domestic enterprises and Mainland residents.
2006	Hang Seng introduces two new cards – alpha card, a payment card for young people, and a commercial card for members of the New Territories General Chamber of Commerce. Hang Seng begins offering an insurance agency service at its Shanghai and Shenzhen branches and sub-branches. HSI Services announces that Mainland China H-share companies are eligible for inclusion in Hang Seng Index. Hang Seng introduces an Index-linked Capital Protected Investment product on the Mainland. Hang Seng launches an integrated brand revitalisation programme and introduces a new corporate tagline – ‘Managing wealth for you, with you’. Hang Seng sells its property at 77 Des Voeux Road Central for HK$2.26 billion. Hang Seng signs an agreement with Kerry Properties to lease 262,000 square feet of office space in Enterprise Square Five in Kowloon Bay, with occupancy planned for late 2007. Hang Seng opens a fourth Shanghai sub-branch. Hang Seng launches VISA Infinite, an invitation-only prestige credit card. Hang Seng extends its Mainland insurance agency service to its Guangzhou branch. Hang Seng announces its debut US dollar subordinated notes offering amounting to US$450 million. Hang Seng opens a Business Banking Centre in Chai Wan to further expand its network of outlets serving SMEs. Hang Seng receives approval to provide renminbi services and extend foreign currency services at its Nanjing branch. Hang Seng opens its first Guangzhou sub-branch. Hang Seng extends its Mainland insurance agency service to its Beijing branch. Hang Seng relocates its Macau branch to accommodate an expansion of services and a new Prestige Banking Centre. Hang Seng receives approval for a Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) licence. Hang Seng holds a Board of Directors meeting on the Mainland for the first time. Hang Seng opens a fifth Shanghai sub-branch. First H-share company enters the Hang Seng Index. Hang Seng receives approval for a US$300 million foreign exchange conversion quota under its QDII licence. Hang Seng becomes the first foreign bank to open a branch in Dongguan. HSI Services launches a Hang Seng China H-Financials Index to track the performance of Mainland financial companies listed in Hong Kong. Hang Seng launches its first QDII investment product through its Mainland branches and sub-branches. Hang Seng becomes the first bank to offer Octopus merchant services to retailers. Hang Seng receives approval to prepare for the establishment of its Mainland subsidiary bank.
2007	The Bank receives approval to commence preparation work for Hangzhou branch. Guangzhou Tao Jin Road sub-branch opens in January. Hang Seng announces GHOS mortgage service and special offers. Shanghai Nanjing West Road sub-branch opens in April. Hang Seng announces a partnership with China UnionPay (CUP) to offer Hang Seng customers the convenience of making cash withdrawals at over 400,000 CUP ATMs and payments at CUP merchant outlets in 26 countries and territories. CBRC approves the establishment of Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited - a Mainland subsidiary bank. Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited opens in May. Shanghai Xintiandi sub-branch opens in July. Beijing Zhongguancun sub-branch opens in August. Hang Seng China obtains approval to offer comprehensive renminbi services to local residents in mainland China. Hangzhou branch opens in September. Hang Seng China receives approval to commence preparation work for Ningbo branch in September. Guangzhou Jiangnan West Road sub-branch opens in November. Shanghai Hongqiao sub-branch opens in November. Hang Seng offers Hong Kong’s first Islamic Fund in November. The Bank opens new office at MegaBox, Kowloon Bay in November. Ningbo branch opens in December. Shenzhen Nanshan Coastal City sub-branch opens in December.
2008	Hang Seng China receives approval to commence preparation work for Tianjin branch in January. Guangzhou Tianhe North Road sub-branch opens in March. The Bank celebrates its diamond jubilee in March. Hang Seng China opens Tianjin Branch in October to further strengthen foothold in Bohai Economic Rim Region. Hang Seng China opens Kunming Branch in November - its first branch in south west China.