Thomas Wu

Thomas Wu is the fourth of six children born to entrepreneur {{ill|Wu Ho-su|zh|吳火獅}} and his wife Wu Kuei-lan.{{cite news |last1=Flannery |first1=Russell |title=The Price Of Good Fortune: Trials Of Taiwan's Wealthy Wu Family |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2017/06/28/wealthy-taiwan-family-adds-to-fortune-despite-tensions/#4d931e94364b |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Forbes |date=28 June 2017}} He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Fu Jen Catholic University in 1972, and completed a master's in business administration from the Anderson School of Management at University of California, Los Angeles in 1975.{{cite news |title=Thomas Wu {{!}} "Inspirational 100" Alumnus |url=https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/alumni/100-inspirational-alumni/thomas-wu-inspirational-100-alumnus |accessdate=2 September 2018 |publisher=UCLA Anderson School of Management}} In 1990, Wu was kidnapped by Hu Gwan-bao. Wu was freed on 18 December 1990 upon payment of a NT$100 million ransom,{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Rich |title=FEATURE : Retired prosecutor pans use of capital punishment |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/04/11/2003440785 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=11 April 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Chuang |first1=Jimmy |title='Tipster' says he's still waiting for his reward money |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/09/30/2003204941 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=30 September 2004}} delivered directly to Wu's captor by Wu's wife.{{cite web|url= https://tw.appledaily.com/forum/daily/20081002/31010222 | title=吳東亮 關關難過 關關過 |date=2008-10-02 |work=Apple Daily|language=zh}} Hu was arrested days later by Hou You-yi,{{cite news |last1=Chuang |first1=Jimmy |title=Super cop shines as new commissioner |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/06/23/2003056403/2 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=23 June 2003}} and executed in 1991.{{cite news |url= https://news.cts.com.tw/cts/society/201012/201012200634878.html |title= 【法網專題】民國72年最狡猾罪犯 胡關寶的不歸路 |date= 2010-12-20 |publisher= CTS News and Info |accessdate= 2018-10-29 |archive-date= 2018-10-29 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191842/https://news.cts.com.tw/cts/society/201012/201012200634878.html |url-status=live |language=zh}}{{cite news |url=http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/society/paper/600807 |title=死刑犯百百／胡關寶 賣關子最狡猾 |date=2012-07-20 |work=Liberty Times |accessdate=2018-10-29 |archive-date=2018-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232359/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/society/paper/600807 |url-status=live |language=zh}}

Wu is married to {{ill|Sylvia Peng|zh|彭雪芬}}.{{cite news |title=Executive's China trip confirmed |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2007/01/13/2003344644 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=13 January 2007}}{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Ted |title=New rules to address conflicts of interest on boards

|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2018/05/18/2003693264 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=18 May 2018}} Peng retired from acting in 1984, aged 24, to marry him.{{cite news |language=zh |url= https://tube.chinatimes.com/20151021002113-261409 |title= 24歲跟富豪私奔，30歲隻身救下被綁丈夫 她是... |date= 2015-10-21 |website= China Times |access-date= 2018-10-28 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181028190319/https://tube.chinatimes.com/20151021002113-261409 |archive-date= 2018-10-28 |url-status= dead }} The couple raised two sons, Wu Hsin-wei, known as Peter, and Wu Hsin-hao.{{cite news |title=【台新少主接班2】愛時尚更勝2兆家業 吳東亮長子在法國做自己 |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20200303fin003/ |access-date=28 May 2021 |publisher=Mirror Media |date=3 March 2020 |language=zh}} Wu Shu-jen disclosed in February 2009 that she had received a sum of money from Thomas Wu.{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Rich |title=SIP confirms Wu Shu-jen submitted donation list |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/02/19/2003436486 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=19 February 2009}} Thomas Wu was questioned by the Supreme Prosecutors Office a year later, as part of ongoing investigation into corruption charges against Chen Shui-bian, Wu Shu-jen's husband.{{cite news |title=Prosecutors release Taishin chief |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2010/02/07/2003465393 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 February 2010}} Wu made his first appearance on The World's Billionaires in March 2015.{{cite news |last1=Lowther |first1=William |title=Nation has 38 billionaires on latest 'Forbes' rich list |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/03/04/2003612749 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 March 2015}}

Wu founded Taishin International Bank via merger in 1992, divesting from his father's textiles company to do so.{{cite news |title=#1650 Thomas Wu |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/thomas-wu/#8c8a5c654ef6 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Forbes}} In February 2002, Wu's Taishin Financial Holdings began business operations.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Holding companies may soon dwindle in number |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2002/01/30/0000122097 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=30 January 2002}} Months after its establishment, Taishin Financial announced a planned merger with Taiwan Securities Company and {{ill|Taishin Bills Finance Corporation|zh|台新票券}}.{{cite news |title=Taishin to complete merger Jan.1 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/twbizbrief/archives/2002/05/14/0000136023 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=14 May 2002}} Later that year, Taishin Financial broke ground on a new office building, the Taishin Tower.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taipei eyesore about to be replaced by complex |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2002/06/18/0000140855 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=18 July 2002}} Wu also explored merging with {{ill|Shin Kong Financial Holding|zh|新光金融控股}}, held by his brother Eugene.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Kevin |title=Taishin and Shin Kong to merge holding firms |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2002/06/26/0000141894 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=26 June 2002}} Plans for the merger were called off after days of consideration.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Merger plan's demise a wise decision, says economist |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2002/07/05/0000147103 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=5 July 2002}} In 2003, Taishin Bank launched the Visa Infinite card throughout Asia.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taishin bank fights for high-end clients with Infinite card |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2003/02/27/0000196132 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=27 February 2003}} The next year, Wu considered a merger with {{ill|First Financial Holding|zh|第一金融控股}}.{{cite news |title=Hua Nan Financial pursues big merger |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/02/29/2003100613 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=29 February 2004}} In March 2004, Wu stated that Taishin Financial had partnered with Test Rite International to securitize Time Plaza, and that the site was the first property-backed securitization project targeting pre-sold housing units.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taishin, Test Rite upbeat about their securitization issue |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/03/17/2003106581 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=17 March 2004}}{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taishin offers securities supported by mortgages |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/03/30/2003108459 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=30 March 2004}}

In August 2004, Thomas Wu terminated several Taishin Financial board members close to his brother Eric.{{cite news |last1=Ho |first1=Jessie |title=Taishin Financial says earnings up in first half 2004 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/08/04/2003181695 |accessdate=2 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 August 2004}} Later that month, the board of directors of Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation elected Thomas to serve as company chairman. Their mother made it known that she preferred Eric take the position, and asked Thomas to step down.{{cite news |title=Will the rightful Shinkong Fibers chief stand up? |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/08/10/2003198204 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=10 August 2004}} Eric and his mother contested Thomas's election, because members of the board were to be reselected prior to the vote that installed Thomas as chairman.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Shinkong Synthetic's fight over leadership continues |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/10/08/2003206051 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=8 October 2004}} As the business chairmanship dispute continued, Thomas and Eric were suspected of insider trading and investigated by the Financial Supervisory Commission.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=FSC to launch probe into alleged insider trading by Wu brothers |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/10/12/2003206599 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=12 October 2004}}{{cite news |title=Family feud at Taishin |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/10/20/2003207693 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=20 October 2004}} In November 2004, the conflict was resolved. Thomas yielded the chairmanship of Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation to Eric, and was named to the same position at Taishin Financial Holdings.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Wu family ends chairmanship feud |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/11/23/2003212258 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=23 November 2004}}{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Thomas Wu apologizes for family spat |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/04/2003213741 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 December 2004}} In turn, Eric ceded his proxy votes on the Taishin Financial board to Thomas,{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Wu brothers feud over control of fiber firm's board |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/22/2003216263 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=22 December 2004}} and secured Taishin Investment Trust Company's independence from Taishin Financial.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taishin Investment Trust Co to retain independence |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/16/2003215360 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=16 December 2004}} The FSC ruled in December 2004 that there were no financial gains, and therefore no insider trading, but that Taiwan Securities Company had not sought final approval to trade shares in Shinkong Synthetic Fibers. As a result, Taiwan Securities Company was fined NT$2.5 million.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=FSC fines Taiwan Securities NT$2.5m |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/10/2003214520 |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=10 December 2004}} With the leadership dispute resolved, Taishin Financial share price rose to NT$29.40 in early December 2004.{{cite news |title=TAIEX rises on possible government intervention |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/07/2003214130 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 December 2004}}

Thomas Wu expressed support for the Financial Supervisory Commission as the agency announced criteria for the merger of financial holding companies in December 2004.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=MOF to back FSC consolidation plan |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2004/12/09/2003214384 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=9 December 2004}} The next year, Wu began considering plans for merger and acquisition.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Taishin's targeting another good year |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/02/22/2003224163 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=22 February 2005}} Wu stated in March 2005 that Bank SinoPac had elected to considered a merger with the International Bank of Taipei instead of Taishin Financial.{{cite news |title=Taishin says SinoPac wants different merger |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/03/29/2003248254 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=29 March 2005}} SinoPac chairman Richard Hong said, "The talks with Taishin did not collapse," and that a final decision would be made in May.{{cite news |last1=Ho |first1=Jessie |title=SinoPac, Taishin merger makes a comeback |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/04/02/2003248790 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=2 April 2005}} Taishin charged two SinoPac employees with libel in May, for distributing an email to SinoPac shareholders including incorrect information regarding Taishin.{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=Taishin Financial plans to sue two SinoPac execs |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/05/05/2003253260 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=5 May 2005}} After SinoPac apologized for the miscommunication, the charges were withdrawn.{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=SinoPac to finalize IBT merger deal |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/05/25/2003256565 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=25 May 2005}} After the merger with SinoPac fell through, Taishin Financial bid NT$36.6 billion for a controlling stake in Chang Hwa Commercial Bank.{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=Taishin Financial shocks market with Chang Hwa bid size |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/07/23/2003264648 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=23 July 2005}}{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=Temasek's bid boosts Chang Hwa |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/08/02/2003266125 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=2 August 2005}} In December 2005, Taishin Financial sought to acquire a larger share of Chang Hwa.{{cite news |title=Taishin Financial plans NT$35bn share disposal |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/12/03/2003282835 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=3 December 2005}} By October 2006, the financial institutions were proposing a share swap.{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=Taishin, Chang Hwa to seek advisers |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2006/10/16/2003332033 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=16 October 2006}} Taishin Financial and Aegon N.V. formed a joint venture in insurance in June 2007. The deal also included a 2.5% stake of Chang Hwa changing hands.{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Jackie |title=Taishin Financial agrees to form venture with Aegon |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2007/06/09/2003364517 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=9 June 2007}} Wu announced in July that the merger between Chang Hwa and Taishin Financial would be complete by the end of the year.{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Amber |title=Taishin to speed up Chang Hwa merger process |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2007/07/04/2003368097 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 July 2007}} However, the Executive Yuan stalled the merger, necessitating the sale of Taishin Securities Company to the Koos Group.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=Chinatrust to bid for Nan Shan Life |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2009/06/27/2003447228 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=27 June 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Crystal |last2=Su |first2=Amy |title=Taishin pushes Chang Hwa merger |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2013/02/21/2003555289 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=21 February 2013}} A Taishin Financial shareholders' meeting in June 2013 saw the passage of a resolution permitting Wu to pursue legal action to merge Taishin International Bank and Chang Hwa Bank.{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Crystal |title=Shareholders demand bold action |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2013/06/22/2003565352 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=22 June 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Crystal |title=Taishin urges service sector boost |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2013/08/21/2003570177 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=21 August 2013}} Days later, Chang Hwa executives also formally backed the merger.{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Crystal |last2=Su |first2=Amy |title=Chang Hwa Bank executive directors approve merger with Taishin Bank |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2013/06/29/2003565886 |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=29 June 2013}}

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Category:1950 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century Taiwanese businesspeople

Category:21st-century Taiwanese businesspeople

Category:Taiwanese business executives

Category:Taiwanese bankers

Category:Taiwanese billionaires

Category:Fu Jen Catholic University alumni

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:Taiwanese company founders