Our history

HSBC opens its doors in Hong Kong and Shanghai, becoming the first locally owned and managed bank, issuing banknotes in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Acts as a banker to the government of Hong Kong and as a sole or joint banker for British government accounts in mainland China, Japan, Penang and Singapore.

HSBC builds insurance manufacturing capacity and begins servicing retirement schemes in Hong Kong

HSBC Life (UK) Limited in the United Kingdom offers insurance services to meet protection and investment management needs.

Offers a range of protection and investment life assurance products in Malta.

Acquires Keppel Insurance as part of the expansion of its Singapore insurance operation.

Starts insurance business in India via Canara HSBC Life Insurance, a joint venture between HSBC, Canara Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC merged with Punjab National Bank in April 2020).

HSBC acquires 100% of Erisa, a French life insurance joint-venture founded in 1986 in which Crédit Commercial de France owned 50%.

Opens HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (HSBC Life China) in mainland China in partnership with The National Trust Limited. Headquartered in Shanghai, it provides a comprehensive suite of insurance services encompassing life protection, retirement, education, wealth growth and legacy planning.

Opens its first branch office in Beijing during a period of strong and sustained growth for its mainland China insurance business.

HSBC Life China expands to the Pearl River Delta region and set up Guangdong branch.

Expands Guangdong branch business to Foshan, Dongguan and Zhuhai in mainland China.

HSBC Life is formally established as a new global insurance brand.

Establishes Tianjian and Shenzhen branches in mainland China.

HSBC Life China expands business to Hangzhou and set up Zhejiang branch.

Expands Guangdong branch business to Zhongshan in mainland China.

HSBC Life revives its development in the Macau SAR by introducing a series of insurance solutions to meet its customers’ life and medical protection needs.

HSBC Insurance (Asia) Limited acquires the remaining 50% equity interest in HSBC Life China to gain 100% ownership.

Sets up HSBC Insurance Brokerage Company Ltd as a broker channel for insurance and wealth product distribution in mainland China.

HSBC Life (Bermuda) Limited, the Reinsurance Mixer is established to help optimise capital efficiency across our insurance group.

HSBC Life completes acquisition of AXA Singapore, expanding its capabilities as a multi-channel, multi-product life and health insurer in Singapore.

Acquires Grupo Financiero Bital to offer insurance services in Mexico.

In 1Q, HSBC Life China sets up Sichuan and Jiangsu branches in Chengdu and Suzhou respectively.

Expands Jiangsu branch business to Nanjiang in September.

With our extensive global network, HSBC Life continues to set new standards of excellence and grow our insurance-led financial advisory solutions to support our valued customers.