Tim Ho
Ho Tim (born Ho Sheung-tsim; OBE, JP; 1909 – 6 November 2004) was a banker and philanthropist from Panyu district, Guangdong, China, and one of the founders of Hang Seng Bank.
Early life
Ho Tim was born in 1909 in Shek Kwu Village, Yutong Ward, Shiqi Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou. He studied in local private schools before becoming an apprentice at a goldsmith shop in Guangzhou. In 1930, his half‑brother Ho Yin co‑founded the Wai Lun Silver Exchange in Guangzhou, where Ho Tim trained alongside Ho Yin. Three years later he moved to Hong Kong to join Ho Sheung‑hang and others in opening Hang Seng Silver Exchange.
Banking career
In 1933, Ho Tim, Ho Sheung‑hang, and partners established Hang Seng Silver Exchange in Central, Hong Kong. Ho Sheung‑hang managed operations while Ho Tim focused on client relations and promotion. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941, Ho Tim relocated to Macau and helped establish Wing Wah Silver Exchange and Tai Fung Silver Exchange, later run by his half‑brother Ho Yin. After the war in 1945, he returned to Hong Kong and sold Wing Wah to Ho Yin, which evolved into today’s Bank of China (Hong Kong).
In 1946, Ho Tim co‑founded Hang Chong Company (later Dah Chong Hong) dealing in grains, oils, and groceries. From 1946 to 1949 he served as chairman of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange. In 1952 he applied for and obtained a banking licence, registering Hang Seng Bank on 5 December. He served as its first general manager. In 1965, during a bank run, Hang Seng sold 51% of its shares to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for HK$51 million—a decision Ho Tim and his colleagues deeply regretted. He served as deputy chairman of Hang Seng Bank from 1967 to 1979.
In 1989, Ho Tim joined a consortium with Cheung Kong Holdings and Kumagai Gumi of Japan to acquire the development rights for Parc Vista in Quarry Bay. The project completed between 1991 and 1992. In April 2004 he retired from Hang Seng’s board and was named honorary senior adviser.
Public service
Ho Tim held numerous public and charitable roles:
- Permanent fellow, United College Council, Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Senior adviser, Board of Trustees, Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Governor, Hang Seng Management College
- Co‑founder, Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Foundation
- Permanent honorary president, Ho Clan Association
- Permanent honorary president, Panyu Fellowship Club, Hong Kong
- Permanent honorary president, Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange
In March 1994 he and colleagues Lee Quo-wei, Sheung‑hang Ho, and K.K. Leung each donated HK$10 million to establish the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation, awarding annual prizes to outstanding scholars in science and technology.
Honorary degrees
- Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong (1982)
- Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, City University of Hong Kong (1997)
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Hong Kong (1999)
He was also named honorary citizen of Guangzhou (1988), Panyu (1990), and Shunde (1995), and was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1965 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1979.
Legacy
Several institutions bear his name:
- Ho Tim House, St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford
- Ho Tim Hall, University of Hong Kong, Lady Ho Tim Hall
- Ho Tim Hall, Shun Hing College, Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Ho Tim Building, Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Ho Tim Building, Department of Education, Chung Chi College
- Ho Tim Building, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University
- Ho Plaza, Cornell University
References
- “Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Bank founder Ho Tim passes away at 95,” Netease News, 4 December 2004.
- University press releases and biographies.