Cathay Financial Holdings Extends Streak on Dow Jones’ Best-in-Class World Index, and Emerging Markets Index | Taiwan News | May. 4, 2026 19:17
Cathay Financial Holdings (Cathay FHC) has reinforced its standing as a sustainability leader, earning a place on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (formerly DJSI) World Index for the eighth straight year and the Emerging Markets Index for the eleventh. The company is also listed as a Top 5% Member in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026. Its ESG Score ranks in the top 2% of the global insurance industry, underscoring consistent execution across climate, health, and empowerment priorities.
The latest assessment highlights comprehensive strength in governance, risk, and customer stewardship. Cathay FHC reported top-tier results across Transparency and Reporting, Risk and Crisis Management, Policy Influence, Information Security, Sustainable Finance, Human Rights, Financial Inclusion, Customer Relations, and Privacy Protection. Strong performance in Climate Strategy, Labor Practices, and Human Capital Management indicates that sustainability is being integrated into capital allocation and long-term value creation rather than treated as a compliance exercise.
Strategy and Governance
Cathay FHC’s sustainability strategy is anchored in three pillars—Climate, Health, and Empowerment. To embed these priorities in day-to-day management, the company has established a Corporate Sustainability Committee under the Board of Directors. This body oversees the executive-level ESG Strategy Committee and six specialized task forces responsible for implementing goals and tracking progress across the group.
Climate Action and Sustainable Finance
Leveraging its balance sheet and investment reach, Cathay FHC is accelerating the low-carbon transition. The group has engaged with companies representing more than 200 million tons of annual emissions to commit to net-zero targets and is advancing higher disclosure standards across supply chains. Subsidiaries—including Cathay Life Insurance, Cathay United Bank, Cathay Century Insurance, and Cathay Securities—were named to the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s List of Institutional Investors with Better Stewardship Disclosure 2025.
The company continues to expand financing and investment in renewable energy, notably solar and offshore wind, while engaging with global climate initiatives. It has maintained a continuous presence at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) since 2021, and President Chang-Ken Lee has been invited for three consecutive years to share Asia-focused insights at the World Climate Summit. In 2025, Cathay FHC further integrated biodiversity and natural capital into decision-making and endorsed the Belém Investor Statement on Tropical Forests, signaling support for global forest conservation efforts.
Financial Health and Customer Resilience
Cathay Life Insurance has advanced its “Wellness” brand since 2024, investing more than NT$200 million to promote preventive health and embedding incentive-based wellness features across its health insurance offerings. The annual “Every Step Counts” campaign has drawn nearly one million participants, collectively logging over 272.7 billion steps and contributing more than NT$28 million to charities nationwide.
Serving over 60% of Taiwan’s population, the group applies integrated insurance, banking, and asset management capabilities to strengthen financial resilience. Efforts include financial literacy programs, inclusive product design, and a multi-layered anti-fraud framework. In 2025, Cathay United Bank helped prevent more than 2,000 fraud cases, averting losses exceeding NT$1.7 billion, according to data from Taiwan’s National Police Agency.
Empowerment and Inclusive Growth
Within the organization, Cathay FHC promotes a “Place for All” culture aimed at workplace inclusion and future-ready talent development. In 2025, employee engagement reached new highs, and retention within one year after parental leave approached 90%. The company has been recognized seven times among Asia’s Best Employers, reflecting sustained progress in workforce policies and culture.
Beyond the workplace, Cathay FHC supports youth and women’s empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and sports development, broadening its long-term social impact.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Cathay FHC plans to deepen low-carbon investment and financing, expand product innovation tied to sustainability outcomes, and elevate international engagement. By aligning its financial capabilities with global sustainability agendas, the company aims to serve as a catalyst in Asia’s transition to a net-zero economy and to strengthen its role as a benchmark institution in sustainable finance.
