| 1918 |
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The Bank of East Asia, Limited is incorporated in Hong Kong. |
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| 1919 |
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Head Office is established at 2 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong. |
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| 1920 |
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Head Office is moved to 10 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.
Branches are opened in Shanghai, China and Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. |
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| 1930 |
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(circa) BEA shares begin to be traded in the Hong Kong share market.
Haiphong Branch is opened in Vietnam. |
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| 1935 |
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New Head Office Building is completed and widely regarded as one of Hong Kong's most distinctive works of architecture. |
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| 1952 |
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Singapore Branch is opened. |
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| 1969 |
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To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, BEA establishes a scholarship fund of HK$500,000 to support the development of higher education in Hong Kong.
BEA becomes the first local Chinese financial institution to introduce advanced technology to its operations by installing a state-of-the-art online computer system. |
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| 1975 |
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The first Hong Kong Dollar credit card, the East Asia BankAmericard, is launched with the Bank of America.
Saigon and Haiphong branches are closed. |
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| 1979 |
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BEA pioneeres foreign-currency credit card settlement services in China.
The East Asia BankAmericard becomes the first credit card accepted in China.
The first-ever Sino-foreign joint venture company in China, Beijing Air Catering Limited, is established. |
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| 1980 |
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Head Office Building is redeveloped. |
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| 1982 |
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BEA becomes a founding partner of JETCO, a company formed to introduce a network of ATMs in Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. |
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| 1983 |
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Grand opening of the redeveloped Head Office Building. |
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| 1984 |
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BEA is one of the joint founders of Electronic Payment Services Company (Hong Kong) Limited (renamed EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited in 2003), which enables electronic transfer of funds at points of sale.
BEA's first branch in the United States is opened in New York. |
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| 1985 |
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Wholly-owned securities company, Tung Shing Securities Company Limited (renamed East Asia Securities Company Limited in 1998) is formed. |
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| 1986 |
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BEA co-founds China's first Sino-foreign joint-venture finance company, China International Finance Company Limited (Shenzhen). |
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| 1987 |
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BEA becomes a principal member of VISA International and MasterCard International. BEA commences its own independent credit card operations.
Shenzhen Branch is opened in China. |
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| 1988 |
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BEA pioneers property mortgage business in China. |
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| 1989 |
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BEA is one of the six founders of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited.
Second branch office in the United States is opened in Chinatown, New York. |
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| 1990 |
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London Branch is opened in the United Kingdom. |
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| 1991 |
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BEA acquires full control of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited together with associated companies, East Asia AEtna Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited and AEtna International Inc.
Xiamen Branch is opened in China.
Los Angeles Branch is opened in the United States. |
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| 1992 |
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Guangzhou and Zhuhai branches are opened in China.
Fuzhou Representative Office is opened in China.
The Bank of East Asia (Canada), a subsidiary bank, is established in Toronto, Canada. |
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| 1993 |
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BEA acquires 50% of Heller Commercial Finance (HK) Limited, which is renamed East Asia Heller Limited (later renamed East Asia GE Commercial Finance Limited in 2004).
Dalian Branch is opened in China.
The Bank of East Asia (BVI) Limited, a subsidiary bank, is set up in the British Virgin Islands. |
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| 1994 |
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To celebrate its 75th Anniversary, BEA establishes a scholarship fund of HK$2 million to support the development of higher education in Hong Kong.
The first affinity card under the VISA and MasterCard brands, The University of Hong Kong Card, is issued.
The Bank of East Asia (Canada) opens its second Canadian branch in Vancouver. |
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| 1995 |
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BEA is chosen as the "Best Foreign Bank in China" by Euromoney.
BEA acquires United Chinese Bank Limited ("UCB"). |
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| 1996 |
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debis Financial Services China Limited is formed with Daimler-Benz Group and Lei Shing Hong Limited (now known as Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Hong Kong Limited). |
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| 1997 |
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Labuan Branch is opened in Malaysia.
Taipei Branch is opened in Taiwan.
Kuala Lumpur Representative Office is opened in Malaysia.
Birmingham Branch is opened in the United Kingdom. |
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| 1998 |
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Shanghai Branch is relocated to Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, Pudong, with the original Puxi Branch becoming a sub-branch.
BEA's Shanghai and Shenzhen branches are among the first foreign bank branches approved by the People's Bank of China ("PBOC") to provide RMB business services to foreigners and foreign-invested enterprises. |
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| 1999 |
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BEA acquires full ownership of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited and sells its 50% interest in East Asia AEtna Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited.
The Bank of East Asia (Trustees) Limited, BEA's wholly-owned subsidiary, is qualified as an approved trustee by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority to provide MPF Master Trust Scheme Services.
Cyberbanking Service is introduced, providing comprehensive banking services via five electronic channels: Internet, Mobile Phone, PowerPhoneTM, Telephone, and Kiosk.
Cybertrading Service is launched. BEA becomes the first bank in Hong Kong to launch online stock trading service through its subsidiary East Asia Securities Company Limited. |
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| 2000 |
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BEA receives the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2000 as the "Best Domestic Bank in Hong Kong".
Cyberbanking and Cybertrading Services are winners of the Asian Banking Awards 2000 in the "New Business Venture" category.
BEA successfully acquires a controlling interest in FPB Bank Holding Company Limited, the holding company of First Pacific Bank Limited ("FPB").
BEA is granted approval to launch the MPF Industry Scheme. The Bank becomes one of only two service providers operating the Industry Scheme.
BEA acquires 60.1% interest in Secretaries Limited.
BEA acquires 24.5% of PT Bank Daiwa Perdania in Indonesia. |
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| 2001 |
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BEA is named "2001 Best Retail Bank in Hong Kong" as part of The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2001.
BEA receives the Omega Outstanding Technology and Financial Enterprise Award for "Best Retail Bank", organised by OMEGA and Capital Magazine.
BEA is recognised as one of "Hong Kong's Best Managed Companies" by FinanceAsia Magazine.
BEA wins the "2000 JP Morgan / FIA Best Asian Corporate Website Award".
UCB formally merges with BEA.
BEA completes its acquisition of FPB.
Secretaries Limited, BEA's subsidiary and joint venture with the New World Group and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, acquires 100% share interest in Abacus Share Registrars Limited.
Corporate Cyberbanking is launched.
Xi'an Branch is opened, the first by any foreign bank in the northwestern part of China.
BEA's first branch in the Macau Special Administrative Region is opened, further strengthening the Bank's coverage in the Pearl River Delta region.
BEA acquires Grand National Bank in the United States, allowing the BEA Group to expand its corporate banking activities on the West Coast. |
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| 2002 |
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A new corporate identity is unveiled and applied across the entire branch network in phases.
FPB completes merger with BEA.
SupremeGold, the Bank's premier wealth management service, is launched.
Tricor Holdings Limited, a joint venture of BEA (71.31%), New World Group (23%), and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (5.69%), acquires 100% shareholding in Tengis Limited.
BEA's second branch in Taiwan is opened in Kaohsiung, the first established by a Hong Kong bank in the city.
BEA is one of the first foreign banks approved by the PBOC to offer a complete range of foreign currency services to all customers in China, including local enterprises and individuals, at all branches and sub-branches on the mainland.
BEA obtains official approval from the PBOC to offer Cyberbanking service to customers in Mainland China. BEA is the first foreign bank ever sanctioned to offer Internet banking service in China.
Grand National Bank in the United States is renamed The Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) N.A. ("BEA-USA"). |
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| 2003 |
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BEA receives the "Asian Banker Retail Product Excellence Award" for its innovative MyCyberWorld Internet banking product.
Share registration, corporate secretarial, and business support services are consolidated under Tricor Group, a majority-owned subsidiary of the BEA Group (over 70%).
Beijing Branch is opened in China. It is the first foreign bank branch established in the capital following China's accession to the World Trade Organization.
BEA-USA relocates its headquarters from Alhambra, California to New York with the opening of its first branch in New York City.
BEA establishes strategic alliances and signs formal cooperative agreements with five international banks: Resona Bank Limited, Japan; Unicredito Italiano, Italy; Hsinchu International Bank, Taiwan; Shenzhen Commercial Bank, China; and Banco Popular Español, Spain. |
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| 2004 |
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BEA wins Web Care Award 2004, Hongkong Post's Distinguished Partnership Award, and The Asian Banker's Excellence in Retail Financial Services Award 2003 for CyberWealth.
BEA offers Personal Renminbi Services including card acceptance service, China UnionPay RMB Debit Card, and RMB Credit Card in Hong Kong.
Chengdu Branch is opened in China.
Corporate Cyberbanking is launched in China.
BEA and the China Financial Certification Authority ("CFCA") sign a cooperation agreement to expand CFCA's Digital Certificate Registration Authority network.
BEA is the first foreign bank in China designated as a registration authority and authorised to offer digital certificates to customers.
BEA establishes strategic alliances and signs formal cooperative agreements with two international banks: Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the Philippines and Industriel et Commercial, France. |
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| 2005 |
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BEA wins The Asian Banker's Excellence in Internet Banking Award 2004 for Cyberbanking and also the Award of Merit in the Enterprise Solution Category 2005 for the Bank's mobile phone and PDA services in the First Hong Kong Wireless Technology Excellence Awards competition.
BEA and The University of Hong Kong establish the Blue Care Medical Centre.
Hangzhou and Chongqing branches are opened in China.
Suzhou and Dongguan representative offices are opened in China.
BEA is one of the first foreign banks in China accredited to provide life insurance agency services in the cities of Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Dalian.
BEA establishes strategic alliances and signs formal cooperative agreements with three international banks: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canada; DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, Germany and ICICI Bank Limited, India.
The Bank of East Asia (Canada) opens its Vancouver City Branch in Vancouver. |
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| 2006 |
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BEA is a winner of the 2005 Hong Kong Top Service Brand Awards for its outstanding brand image.
BEA wins the Best Deposit - Linked Product Award, as part of The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2006.
Qingdao Branch is opened in China.
BEA is one of the first foreign banks in China granted Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor ("QDII") status by the China Banking Regulatory Commission.
BEA Group completes the acquisition of National American Bancorp, the holding company of National American Bank ("NAB"). NAB merged with the Group's subsidiary, The Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) N.A.
BEA establishes strategic alliance and signs formal cooperative agreements with three international banks: Woori Bank, Korea, City National Banks, USA and Industrial Bank of Taiwan, Taiwan. |
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| 2007 |
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BEA wins The Asian Banker's "Best Foreign Retail Bank in China" Award for its outstanding performance on the mainland in 2006.
BEA receives an Award of Excellence in the Best Workplace Practices category of the Asian CSR Awards 2007 for its submission, "BEA Tower Office Centralisation Project - Caring Design and Implementation".
BEA wins AsianInvestor magazine's "Hong Kong MPF Master Trust of the Year" Award.
BEA receives Global Refund's "Platinum Award" for its Value Added Tax refund service.
BEA receives the "Excellence in Risk Management" award in the Financial Insights Innovation Awards for its Basel II initiative.
The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited ("BEA China"), a wholly-owned banking subsidiary of BEA, becomes one of the first locally incorporated foreign banks to open for business in China. BEA transfers the operation of its branches and sub-branches on the mainland to BEA China, with the exception of Shanghai Branch, through which BEA continues to conduct its wholesales foreign exchange business.
BEA China is named one of the "Top Five Foreign Banks" in the "China Business News Financial Brand Ranking 2007" and the "Best Foreign Subsidiary Bank in China" in the 2007 Asian Banks Competitive Rankings held during the 21st Century Annual Finance Summit of Asia.
BEA China opens new branches in Shengyang, Wuhan and Nanjing.
BEA establishes strategic alliances and signs formal cooperative agreements with two international banks: Bank of Yokohama, Japan and "la Caixa", Spain.
The Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) N.A. opens its Brooklyn and Flushing branches in New York. |
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| 2008 |
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BEA wins the 2008 SME's Best Partner Award organised by The Hong Kong Chamber of Small and Medium Business Ltd.
Wholly-owned subsidiary, BEA Life Limited officially commences business.
BEA China receives the 2008 Best Internet Banking among Foreign Banks in China Award from China Internet Weekly, the Retail Financial Service Brand Award in the 2008 China Business News Financial Value Ranking, and the Best Foreign Retail Bank Award in the 2008 Asian Banks Competitive Rankings held during the 21st Century Annual Finance Summit of Asia.
BEA China opens new branches in Tianjin, Urumqi and Hefei.
BEA China becomes the first foreign bank to launch RMB debit cards and credit cards on the Mainland.
BEA establishes strategic alliance and signs formal cooperative agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Japan.
The Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) N.A. opens its San Gabriel Branch, South San Francisco Branch and San Francisco Chinatown Branch in California. |
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| 2009 |
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To commemorate its 90th Anniversary, BEA establishes The Bank of East Asia Charitable Foundation in support of education and poverty relief for the underprivileged.
BEA wins the 2009 SME's Best Partner Award organised by The Hong Kong Chamber of Small and Medium Business Ltd.
BEA China receives the "Team Excellence Award for Information Technology Infrastructure", "Best Information Technology Strategy Award", and "Best Technical Strategy Award" at the iPower500 (Top 500 Chinese Enterprises in Information Technology Development) for 2008 organised by the National Informationisation Evaluation Centre.
BEA and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited ("ICBC") jointly announce an agreement on the sale and purchase of BEA Canada and ICEA Finance Holdings Limited ("ICEA").
BEA completes a landmark US$500 million Hybrid Tier 1 Capital Instrument issue to strengthen its core capital, the first of its kind by a local bank in Hong Kong.
BEA further strengthens its core capital through the issue of new shares to key strategic partners, Criteria CaixaCorp, S.A. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
BEA expands its wealth management business in Taiwan with the establishment of BEA Wealth Management Services (Taiwan) Limited.
BEA China becomes the first mainland-incorporated foreign bank to issue RMB retail bonds in Hong Kong, raising RMB4 billion through its debut RMB bond issue.
BEA completes its first cross-boundary RMB trade settlement transaction.
BEA China becomes both a domestic settlement bank and domestic agent bank in China for cross-boundary RMB trade settlement services.
BEA China announces plans to expand its branch network in Guangdong by setting up "cross-location" sub-branches under Supplement VI to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
BEA-USA opens its Oakland Branch in California.
BEA signs agreements with la Caixa Group to enhance its access to financial markets in Spain and other parts of Europe, and to open the door for potential joint business development in Asia.
BEA and Hana Bank of South Korea sign a memorandum of mutual understanding on strategic partnership.
BEA opens the BEA Building at 60 Robinson Road, Singapore, which serves as the Bank's flagship in Singapore and the Group's operational hub in Southeast Asia. |
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| 2010 |
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BEA completes the transactions announced in June 2009 involving the sale of 70% of its interest in BEA Canada to ICBC and the purchase of ICBC's remaining 75% shareholding in ICEA.
The Bank of East Asia Charitable Foundation and "la Caixa" Foundation join hands to contribute a total of HK$11 million in support of a palliative care for the elderly programme operated by The Salvation Army.
BEA teams up with China UnionPay to launch the BEA CUP Dual Currency PLATINUM Credit Card, bringing greater financial flexibility to travellers who regularly conduct transactions in both Hong Kong dollars and Renminbi.
BEA China becomes the first foreign bank to open its own data centre in China. |
