Taiwan Banks Launch Multilingual ATMs to Boost Financial Services for Foreigners

As part of the National Development Council's (NDC) initiative to improve financial services for foreign nationals in Taiwan, CTBC Bank has reported serving over 400,000 foreign nationals. The bank has installed more than 7,800 ATMs across Taiwan, offering 12 language interfaces to enhance ease of use for foreigners. Meanwhile, Taipei Fubon Bank's demonstration branch, the Shifu Branch, can support over 40 languages on-site.

To address the difficulties international talent face when opening bank accounts and applying for credit cards in Taiwan, the NDC is promoting a 'One-Stop Financial Service Demonstration Bank Action Plan for Foreign Nationals.' This plan encourages banks to build on bilingual services by creating friendlier application processes, upgrading service models, and optimizing in-branch experiences. A total of six demonstration banks and 17 branch locations have been designated to make financial services more accessible for foreign nationals.

The NDC announced on Wednesday that CTBC Bank and Taipei Fubon Bank have been selected as demonstration banks. Yang Shu-hui, Executive Head of Personal Finance at CTBC Bank, and Wu Yi-ling, General Manager of Wealth Management at Taipei Fubon Bank, attended the ceremony to receive the award on behalf of their respective banks.

CTBC Bank stated that it currently operates 157 bilingual branches across Taiwan and is actively working to improve existing processes and service touchpoints. The bank integrates counter services with automated equipment to provide foreign nationals with services ranging from account opening and identity verification to financial consultation. For this selection, seven branches, including the Dunbei Branch in Taipei, as well as branches in central and southern Taiwan, have been designated as one-stop demonstration branches for foreign financial services.

CTBC Bank noted that the number of foreign nationals coming to Taiwan for employment, study, and residence is increasing year by year. To cater to different foreign nationals, the bank has installed over 7,800 ATMs across Taiwan, offering 12 language interfaces to improve operational convenience for foreign users and make transaction processes smoother.

Furthermore, foreign nationals who open general deposit and trust accounts at CTBC Bank can purchase products such as funds, foreign stocks, foreign ETFs, bonds, and structured bonds over the counter without needing to open a separate investment account. They can flexibly exchange 14 currencies using a single foreign currency account.

In addition, foreign clients can use CTBC's online banking and mobile banking app to view their investment overview, access NT dollar and foreign currency account and credit card inquiries, make international wire transfers, and pay credit card bills, utility bills, and phone bills. According to internal statistics, as of November last year, CTBC Bank had served over 400,000 foreign nationals from more than 200 countries in Taiwan.

Wu Yi-ling, General Manager of Wealth Management at Taipei Fubon Bank, stated, 'Financial services are not just about transactions; they are an important foundation for building a sense of security and belonging. Our participation in this 'One-Stop Financial Service Demonstration Bank for Foreign Nationals' represents an integration and upgrade of our service processes. It also signifies Taipei Fubon Bank's continued commitment to creating a financial experience that combines efficiency, warmth, and trust, leveraging our international perspective and local experience.'

Taipei Fubon Bank said that its demonstration branch, the Shifu Branch, was originally a bilingual flagship branch. It is equipped with a foreign language service counter and real-time translation devices, supporting over 40 languages on-site. The branch has also implemented a multilingual queuing system and multilingual signage. From entering the branch to completing transactions like account opening and remittances, the collaboration between staff and technology effectively reduces communication gaps.

Taipei Fubon Bank's mobile banking app, 'Fubon+', offers a bilingual Chinese-English version, allowing users to freely switch languages during use. The bank also continues to strengthen internal training in areas such as language, culture, and usage habits. It has established 'Bilingual Ambassadors' in branches across Taiwan to encourage employees to improve their foreign language skills. At the same time, the bank reviews its processes and optimizes service details through actual audits and feedback from foreign clients.