Vietnam as a sustainable growth forces in Cathay long-term financial plan
Cathay Financial Group has identified Vietnam as its second key market in Asia.
As Vietnam’s financial market enters a new phase of development, Cathay Financial Group is reaffirming its long-term investment commitment, backed by strong financial capabilities, digital transformation and a comprehensive ESG strategy.
Cathay commits to long-term growth in Vietnam
With more than 60 years of experience in financial services and insurance, Cathay is currently one of Taiwan’s leading financial groups, with total assets of approximately USD 468 billion as of September 2025 and a fully integrated financial ecosystem. Through its integrated financial holding model, Cathay closely connects its banking operations (Cathay United Bank), life insurance business (Cathay Life Vietnam) and non-life insurance operations (Cathay Insurance Vietnam) into a unified ecosystem designed to optimize capital allocation, strengthen risk management and enhance operational sustainability.
In Vietnam, Cathay United Bank has maintained double-digit growth in both revenue and profit for three consecutive years, working with more than 300 Vietnamese and Taiwanese enterprises, participating in over 100 syndicated loan transactions and serving as lead arranger in nearly 20 deals. At the same time, Cathay Insurance Vietnam continues to play a key role in risk management within the group’s integrated financial model, recording an average compound annual growth rate of 20.6% over the past decade.
Building on the capabilities and sustainable development philosophy of its parent group, Cathay Life Vietnam follows a people-centric insurance model focused on comprehensive life-cycle protection solutions. The company has invested nearly VND 150 billion in technology infrastructure while developing integrated insurance solutions under the DRCS framework: D - Die (protection against mortality risks), R - Retire (retirement planning), C - Child (supporting children’s future) and S - Sick (protection against illness). Through this framework, the company delivers systematic insurance solutions that address protection, savings and long-term financial planning needs simultaneously.
Investing in technology and ESG
Digital transformation remains a core pillar of Cathay’s growth strategy in Vietnam. Through Cathay United Bank, the group has introduced data-driven digital banking solutions, highlighted by a fully digitalized lending process that allows customers to complete the entire borrowing journey online within just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, Cathay Life Vietnam continues accelerating the adoption of digital technologies and AI applications, including tools such as AI Coach to improve workforce productivity, alongside electronic insurance contracts, mobile claims services and digital advisory platforms, all aimed at enhancing customer experience.
Alongside technology, ESG principles are being directly integrated into Cathay’s financial decision-making and risk management activities in Vietnam. A major milestone was the financing of the BIM wind power project in Ninh Thuận in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), marking Cathay United Bank’s first green loan project in Vietnam and paving the way for future financing initiatives in green finance, energy efficiency, financial inclusion and healthcare.
Mr. Chang Ken Lee, President of Cathay Financial Group, stated:
At Cathay, we place strong emphasis on ESG-related issues. We are involved not only in lending activities, but also in investments through our life insurance business and private equity funds. We have carried out numerous initiatives in green energy and sustainable finance, achieving positive and successful results in Taiwan. We hope to bring this experience to Vietnam.