Major Milestones
2023
 
Published a report on Hang Seng’s hypothetical e-HKD use case simulations results in the HKMA’s e-HKD Pilot Programme

Partnered with Bualuang Securities for depositary receipts of the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index ETF on Stock Exchange of Thailand

Entered a MOU with China Construction Bank to explore cross-boundary e-CNY applications

Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited became the first offshore index compiler to include Beijing Stock Exchange securities in its indexes

Offered e-CNY wallet value-added services for Hong Kong athletes at the 19th Asian Games

Launched the +FUN Dollars credit card rewards programme

Opened two new Cross-boundary Wealth Management Centres in Tsim Sha Tsui and Shenzhen to further enhance the Bank’s ability to provide customers in Hong Kong and the mainland with seamless cross-boundary wealth management solutions

First Bank in Hong Kong to offer commercial banking e-sign service for mainland customers and expand the scope of business banking remote account opening service to Hong Kong companies with mainland shareholders

Launched ‘Future Banking’ service concept to drive bank innovation

Introduced the RMB counter for Hang Seng Bank shares trading

Arranged the Bank’s first social loan to fund community development projects in Hong Kong

The only bank in Hong Kong with three use cases selected for HKMA e-HKD Pilot Programme

Launched Hong Kong‘s first pet-friendly branch

Hang Seng TECH Index ETF included in Stock Connect Programme

Rolled out Hong Kong’s first-ever Prestige Banking ‘Family+ Account’ for seamless personal and family finance and wealth management

Opened first Cross-boundary Wealth Management Centre in Guangzhou to meet escalating demand for cross-boundary financial services in the GBA

Launched Hong Kong’s first low carbon themed A-Share ETF – Hang Seng Stock Connect China A Low Carbon Index ETF

Marked the 30th anniversary of Hang Seng Investment

Signed an exclusive 15-year general insurance distribution agreement with Chubb

Celebrated 90 years of Hang Seng Bank’s deep-rooted connections with Hong Kong

2022
Won ‘Best Use Case Award’ in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Global Fast Track 2022 – Central Bank Digital Currency Track Pitching Competition

Hang Seng Investment became Hong Kong’s No. 1 exchange-traded fund (‘ETF’) manager in terms of assets under management

Hang Seng Investment took up reins as new manager of Tracker Fund of Hong Kong and introduced RMB counter

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index ETF selected as one of the first four ETFs to become eligible for southbound trading under the ETF Connect

Opened new Cross-boundary Wealth Management Centre to serve growing demand in the GBA

Entered the metaverse as part of the MetaGreen project with the vision of building a greener tomorrow

Hang Seng among first in Hong Kong to launch pioneering Mobile Cheque Deposit service for commercial and personal banking customers

Rolled out the first SFC-authorized ESG ETF based on Hang Seng Index - HSI ESG Enhanced Select Index ETF

First bank in Hong Kong to embrace the use of a digital character, Hazel to represent its Digital Banking brand

2021
Hang Seng Central Branch showcases innovative branch design and banking services

Announced strategic alliance with HKTDC to support entrepreneurs to transform business through the adoption of innovative solutions

Rolled out new online payment service ‘Pay with Hang Seng’

Hang Seng Partners with Hang Seng China to Offer GBA Customers Wealth Management Products under Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Scheme

First bank in Hong Kong to extend Equity-linked Investment Product Subscription Service to US securities for retail investors

Announced collaboration with HKQAA to promote the green and sustainable economy

Announced strategic alliance with Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited to support HK entrepreneurs

First bank in Hong Kong to adopt ‘iAM Smart’ verification at all branches as a valid form of identification

Launched total wellness solution platform ‘Olive Wellness App’ for customers to enjoy health and wellness services at any time


2020
Rolled out Remote Account Opening service for Business Banking customers

Launched new ‘Signature’ wealth management proposition, and opened first Signature Centre in Hong Kong

Unveiled ‘Future Branch Concept’, which integrates digital innovation and human touch to deliver banking service excellence in Bank 4.0 era

Only domestic bank in Hong Kong included in Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index 2020

Hang Seng Investment launched Hang Seng TECH Index ETF and Hang Seng Harvest CSI 300 Index ETF

Rolled out eTicketing services to all branches for all customers

Launched SimplyFund investment service to assist young customers to manage and grow their wealth

Launched ‘Cross-border View and Transfer’, a digital cross-border personal banking account management service

First bank in Hong Kong to launch Whatsapp channel for retail banking AI virtual assistant H A R O

First bank in Hong Kong to launch smart budgeting tool in mobile app

Announced cross-sector collaboration with OnePort Limited on digitalisation of cash management


2019
First bank in Hong Kong to use NFC technology for mobile cash ATM withdrawal services

Hang Seng China became first foreign bank to join bond trading on Mainland China stock exchanges

Unveiled new digitally enabled and open branch service concept

Hang Seng China became first foreign bank to issue Negotiable Certificate of Deposit via Bond Connect

Announced strategic fintech alliance with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

2018
Rolled out Hong Kong’s first AI chatbots for retail banking services

Rolled out AI chatbot for business banking services

Launched all-in-one digital payment collection service for merchants

Launched one-stop personal digital payment platform connected to the Faster Payment System

Partnered with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and industry peers to develop trade finance blockchain platform

Announced strategic fintech collaboration with Tencent

2017
Opened mobile branch to serve residents of public housing estates in remote areas

Launched ATM services with the widest range of foreign currency choices in Hong Kong

2016
Hang Seng Qianhai Fund Management Company Limited, the first foreign‐majority‐owned joint venture fund management company on the Mainland, commenced operation

Hang Seng Investment’s first northbound fund made Mainland debut

2015
Hang Seng China H-Share Index Fund amongst the first batch of northbound funds approved by CSRC under Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds initiative

Became the first foreign bank to apply for the establishment of a foreign-majority-owned joint venture fund management company on the Mainland under Supplement X to CEPA

Hang Seng China opened new branch in Jinan

2014
Launched Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect Northbound Trading services

Hang Seng China made RMB1 billion debut in Hong Kong RMB bond market

Hang Seng and Bupa announced 10-year exclusive distribution agreement

Hang Seng China opened new branch in Chengdu

Hang Seng China opened Shanghai Free Trade Zone Sub-branch

2013
Celebrated 80th anniversary

Hang Seng China Shenzhen Qianhai Sub-branch commenced operation

Included in the 'Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World' - the only Hong Kong company to achieve such recognition

Became the first local financial institution to issue Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ETF

2012
Hang Seng China opened new branch in Xiamen

Launched the world's first RMB Gold ETF

2011
Became the first local bank in Hong Kong to attain internationally recognised ISO 14001 certification for all offices and branches

Became the first local bank in Hong Kong to be included as a constituent stock on the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index

Hang Seng China celebrated the opening of new headquarters, Hang Seng Bank Tower, in Shanghai

2010
Lead-arranged Hong Kong's first renminbi syndicated loan

Launched Hong Kong's first renminbi certificate of deposit for retail customers

Personal e-Banking celebrated 10th anniversary

Became the first bank in Hong Kong to set renminbi prime rate

Hang Seng China unveiled first cross-city sub-branch

2009
World's first bank to achieve compliance with international occupational health and safety standard BS OHSAS 18001:2007

2008
Celebrated diamond jubilee

Completed Yantai Bank deal

Hang Seng China opened Kunming Branch - its first branch in south west China

Hang Seng China opened Tianjin Branch to further strengthen foothold in Bohai Economic Rim Region

2007
CBRC approved the establishment of Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited - a Mainland subsidiary bank. Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited was established on 28 May 2007.

Ningbo Branch opened

Hangzhou Branch opened

Hang Seng China obtained approval to offer comprehensive renminbi services to local residents in mainland China

Offered Hong Kong’s first Islamic fund

2006
Received approval to prepare for the establishment of its Mainland subsidiary bank

Became the first foreign bank to open a branch in Dongguan

Received approval for a Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) licence

Held a Board of Directors meeting on the Mainland for the first time

2005
Offered business customers in Hong Kong renminbi deposit accounts

Upgraded its Beijing representative office to a branch

Became the first Hong Kong financial institution to receive ISO 14001 certification for its sound environmental practices

2004
Received investment quota for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor scheme

Completed acquisition of a 15.98% stake in Industrial Bank after making a payment of RMB1,726 million (approximately HKD1,626 million)

Renminbi services, including deposits, exchange and remittances, were introduced in Hong Kong branches

2003
Opened Macau Branch

Business e-Banking services were launched on the Mainland

2002
Personal e-Banking services were launched on the Mainland

Business e-Banking services were launched in Hong Kong

2000
Personal e-Banking services were launched in Hong Kong


1997
Received approval to open a branch in Shanghai shortly after the territory's reunification with China


1996
Launched a more modern corporate identity


1995
Opened its first Mainland branch in Guangzhou


1985
Established a presence in mainland China with the opening of a representative office in Shenzhen


1981
Granted a franchise to operate branches in Mass Transit Railway stations


1972
Hang Seng was 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


1969
The Hang Seng Index was launched as a public service. The Index has been internationally-recognised as Hong Kong's main stock market indicator


1967
Pioneered seven-year residential mortgages in Hong Kong


1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation acquired a 51% interest in Hang Seng (subsequently increased to 62.14%)


1960
Hang Seng became a public company


1952
Incorporated as a private limited company and embarked on commercial banking


1933
Hang Seng Ngan Ho commenced business as a small money-changing shop at 70 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. In its first year of operation, it recorded a net profit of HKD10,389