Early Life and Education
Thomas Wu was born on April 11, 1950, in Taipei, Taiwan. He is the fourth of six children in a family with an entrepreneurial background; his father, Wu Ho-su, was a successful entrepreneur. Wu attended Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School and graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1972. He then pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1975.
Rise to Success
Wu's career took off when he divested from his family's textile company to found Taishin International Bank in 1992, a move that marked his entry into the financial sector. He later established Taishin Financial Holdings in February 2002. Under his leadership, Taishin Financial Holdings expanded through mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Taiwan Securities Company and Taishin Bills Finance Corporation. Wu's strategic vision led to the launch of the Visa Infinite card throughout Asia in 2003. He was also involved in a chairmanship dispute with his brother, Eric, which was eventually resolved.
Key Business Strategies
Wu's business strategy centered on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. He considered mergers with First Financial Holding and was involved in securitization projects. His focus on expansion and innovation helped Taishin Financial Holdings grow significantly. Wu also played a key role in the merger of Taishin Financial Holdings and Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, demonstrating his commitment to growth. He is currently the chairman of Taishin Holdings.
Philanthropy
While specific figures for his philanthropic contributions are not available, Wu is known for his involvement in the Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture and the Taishin Charity Foundation.