History - Before 2000

Manulife Hong Kong

Canadian-based Manulife Financial has been conducting business in Hong Kong for more than one hundred years. Following is a brief chronology of the Company's history in Hong Kong.

2009,  2007-2008,  2004 - 2006, 2000 - 2003, Before 2000

1897	>	Operations commence in Shanghai, China and Hong Kong.
1898	>	Agency Bradley and Co. established in Hong Kong.
1931	>	South China Branch opens in Hong Kong, with offices in the Hong Kong Club Building.
1936	>	South China Branch enters the group pensions market.
1941 - 1945	>	Business is closed during Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.
1959	>	South China Branch is renamed Hong Kong Branch.
1960	>	Hong Kong Branch office moves to Union House.
1972	>	Hong Kong Branch office moves to Connaught Centre.
1982	>	January marks the first month of operation of the Hong Kong Division.
1984	>	Manulife (International) Limited (MIL) established in Hong Kong as a subsidiary of Manulife Financial.
1985	>	First insurance company in Hong Kong to launch a unit-linked insurance product.
1989	>	Expansion into group life and health insurance in Hong Kong.
1991	>	Manulife establishes major presence in Hong Kong by taking up residence in Manulife Tower on Hong Kong Island. Agency force reaches 1,000.
1993	>	Manulife offers general insurance through Taikoo Royal Insurance.
1995	>	Manulife wins the Best Service Award 1995 in the insurance category organized by Next Magazine.
	>	Joint credit card (ManuCard) launched with OTB Card Company, a subsidiary of the Dao Heng Bank Group.
1996	>	MIL's subsidiary, Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Company Ltd, begins operation in Shanghai. Manulife-Sinochem is China's first joint venture life insurance company.
	>	Manulife buys out Manulife Regent and renames it Manulife Funds Direct.
	>	Opening of Macau Branch.
1997	>	Centennial celebrations in both Hong Kong and Shanghai
	>	Asian head office established in Hong Kong. Opening of Manulife's second signature office accommodations - Manulife Plaza.
	>	MIL receives a 'AA+' (Very Strong) rating from Standard & Poor's.
	>	Launch of Manulife Hong Kong's Web site www.manulife.com.hk
	>	Customer Call Center opens, equipped with a new automated phone enquiry system.
	>	Manulife provides general insurance service through partnership with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance.
1998	>	Re-affirmation of 'AA+' (Very Strong) rating from Standard & Poor's for MIL.
	>	Manulife receives ISO9002 certification for its pension business service in Hong Kong.
	>	Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company established as the trustee for Manulife's Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) schemes in Hong Kong.
1999	>	Shares of Manulife Financial Corporation begin trading on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) on September 27, 1999.
	>	Launch of Manulife credit card with Mediplus function for group insurance clients. The card combines features of a credit card and a medical card.
	>	Re-affirmation of 'AA+' (Very Strong) rating from Standard & Poor's for MIL.