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Despite global divisions regarding opinions on sustainability, many Asia-Pacific business leaders remain steadfast, doubling down on long-term commitments to the goal, and this has never been more critical. In banking and finance, the trade-off between underwriting net-zero pledges and protecting the bottom line has never been more stark, and Asset Benchmark Research has singled out two leaders from the Taiwanese financial sector who have cracked the code.
Richard M. Tsai, chairman of Fubon Financial Holdings, is recognized as the Best CEO as part of The Asset Corporate Sustainability Leadership Awards 2025. He has been in the position since 2016. Under his leadership, the company has delivered outstanding results in 2024, hitting record net income.
Tsai links the success closely with Fubon’s green and sustainability commitments. “I am convinced that sustainable development and financial performance are not in conflict; rather, they can complement each other,” says Tsai during an exclusive interview with The Asset. “I want to emphasize that sustainability is not a cost, but a forward-looking investment that enhances a company’s resilience and inclusiveness and builds its long-term competitive strength for the future.”
In 2024, Fubon’s achievements in green finance exceeded NT$2.5 trillion (US$83 billion), encompassing diverse areas such as green investments, insurance and bonds, with a target of reaching NT$2.91 trillion by 2030.
The carbon reduction target Fubon has proposed for the investment and financing positions, Tsai highlights, has set a coverage rate exceeding 53%, making Fubon the financial institution with the highest coverage rate in Asia. “I believe that managing and systematically reducing emissions from our investment and financing portfolios is an immense and complex task, far more difficult than managing internal emissions, as it ultimately depends on the decarbonization efforts of our customers,” says Tsai, who highlights that Fubon had to successfully managed various difficulties, such as data collection, to reach this rate.
Fubon has even announced a more ambitious decarbonization timeline, which is phasing out all investments and underwriting of companies involved in thermal coal-related sectors by 2030 and unconventional oil and gas sectors by 2040. Fubon’s targeted pace is faster than the Taiwan regulator’s goal of phasing out coal power by 2034.
Internally, in Fubon, Tsai has been building a corporate culture rooted in sustainability, which is the cornerstone for effectively addressing external risks and challenges. This is achieved by various training programmes and hands-on events.
As well, James Chen, president and CEO of E.SUN Financial Holding (E.SUN FHC), is recognized in the Best CEO award category. Chen is also the executive director of the board of E.SUN FHC. Prior to his current role, he held positions as president and CEO of corporate banking for both E.SUN FHC and its primary subsidiary E.SUN Commercial Bank.
Under his leadership, E.SUN is developing towards its “3+1 strategic goals”, of which “pioneering environmental, social and governance (ESG) management” is key. With systematic integration and strong commitment to ESG, E.SUN continues to be a leader in Taiwan in sustainability initiatives.
Like many proactive managers in the financial sector, Chen has been focusing on E.SUN’s core system transformation, crafting strategies for high-net-worth client management and expanding the company’s international presence.
During the exclusive interview with The Asset, Chen shares that the main driver for E.SUN’s business growth has been wealth management, and the company has been among the top players in Taiwan regarding asset under management. He’s been particularly focusing on the high-asset clients in Taiwan and is servicing the greatest number of such clients there.
Chen emphasizes the nature of Taiwan’s economy, noting that overseas business expansion is a key part of its DNA. In 2024, E.SUN has 33 operating sites in 11 countries and regions with a focus on the Greater China and Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regions. Overseas presence contributed 32% to E.SUN’s record-high net profit in 2024.
In some of the Southeast Asian markets, such as Myanmar, which are very challenging, E.SUN was among the very few banks that strongly supported their clients even during severe social events, with the bank being able to provide services to clients while protecting their employees.
We are pleased to confer on Tsai and Chen the Best CEO Award as part of The Asset Corporate Sustainability Leadership Awards 2025 for their significant contributions and accomplishments over the past year.
To see the official announcement, please go here.
Interested in attending our awards gala on November 6, 2025 in Singapore, please contact us at celebrate@theasset.com
To learn more about this award programme, please go here.
