CTBC Financial Holding: Aiming to Expand Securities Market Share, Continuously Monitoring M&A Opportunities

(Central News Agency, Su Sih-yun, Taipei, June 12) CTBC Financial Holding President Kao Li-hsueh said today that Taiwan's financial market has been very active in recent years, but compared to the scale of its banking and insurance subsidiaries, CTBC Securities is not yet large enough. She expressed a desire to catch up quickly, stating that the company has been constantly looking for securities M&A opportunities. However, no suitable targets have been found yet, and the company will continue to monitor market changes and strengthen cooperation with its banking arm to boost securities account openings.

CTBC Financial Holding held its 115th annual general meeting of shareholders today, where it approved a cash dividend of NT$2.5 per common share, a new record high.

Chairman Yen Wen-long stated in his address that the global economic environment last year was full of challenges, with rising geopolitical risks, intensified US-China technology and trade competition, and uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies, bringing unprecedented volatility and challenges to global financial markets. Facing this complex situation, CTBC Financial Holding deepened the integration of group resources. In 2025, the financial holding company's net profit after tax reached NT$80.6 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) were NT$4.08, both setting new historical highs.

With the booming Taiwan stock market, shareholders also inquired about the future plans for CTBC Securities. Kao Li-hsueh stated that driven by the AI industry, Taiwan's financial market is very hot. However, compared to its banking and insurance subsidiaries, CTBC Securities is still not large enough, and the company hopes to catch up quickly. Its market share has grown from 1% to 1.5% in recent years, which is the highest growth rate among peers in the fiercely competitive securities market.

Kao Li-hsueh pointed out that the company has been continuously monitoring securities M&A opportunities but has not yet found a suitable target.

CTBC Securities is currently focusing on internal transformation. First, it is strengthening cooperation between its banking and securities arms to drive new account openings through bank branches. Second, it is using its securities app, CTBC Highlight APP, to increase its reach among younger customers. Third, it is enhancing the overall efficiency of its securities platform and strengthening its own operations through comprehensive strategic planning.

Regarding dividend policy, Kao Li-hsueh stated that in the future, the company will consider gains and losses from the disposal of FVOCI (Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income) stocks in its earnings distribution. The dividend policy will be determined based on the capital positions of the financial holding company and its subsidiaries, future business development, and shareholder demand for cash dividends.

Kao Li-hsueh noted that the insurance industry has adopted IFRS 17 this year. Most of the listed stocks held by Taiwan Life are classified under FVOCI. The realized profits from these stocks are not reflected in monthly earnings, but adjusted profits including FVOCI stock disposal gains and losses will be announced quarterly. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150612