Ministry of Finance: ATM Facial Covering Alert to Reach 30% Adoption by Year-End Among State-Owned Banks

TAIPEI (Central News Agency) — The Ministry of Finance held its regular meeting for state-owned financial institutions today, highlighting three major priorities. First, it commended the strong financial performance of state-owned financial entities in 2023. The combined after-tax net profit of four listed financial holding companies and two banks reached NT$39.775 billion, a 26.4% year-on-year increase. The Ministry encouraged chairpersons and CEOs to sustain this momentum.

Second, the Ministry urged active participation in the 'Financing Guarantee Mechanism for Taiwanese Enterprises Investing in the U.S.,' designed by the National Development Council to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. supply chain collaboration. Regarding capital commitments, Taiwan Bank has pledged USD 75 million, making it one of the largest contributors. Mega International Commercial Bank, First Commercial Bank, Hua Nan Bank, and Bank of Taiwan each plan to contribute USD 50 million, while Land Bank of Taiwan, Chang Hwa Bank, and Taiwan Business Bank will each contribute USD 25 million, totaling USD 350 million.

Third, amid rising incidents of illegal workplace conduct in Taiwan's financial sector, the Ministry emphasized the importance of ethical workplace practices, clear interpersonal boundaries, and the elimination of sexual harassment and workplace bullying.

Regarding the merger progress of the asset management subsidiaries under four state-owned financial holding companies — First Financial Holding Investment Trust, Mega International Investment Trust, Hua Nan Yong Chang Investment Trust, and Cooperative Bank Capital Investment Trust — the meeting noted that integration is proceeding according to schedule. The Ministry encouraged efforts to enhance operational efficiency and explore the feasibility of scaling up operations through internal consolidation.

On the upcoming New Youth安居 2.0 policy, officials confirmed it is under active development and expected to be announced by the end of June, though no details were discussed at the meeting and no formal proposal has yet been submitted to the Executive Yuan.

Additionally, the Ministry invited the High Prosecutors Office to deliver a special lecture titled 'Achievements and Advancement of Cross-Agency Collaboration and Public-Private Partnership under Anti-Fraud Guidelines 2.0.' On ATM facial covering alert systems, as of the end of April 2023, 2% of ATMs operated by state-owned banks have implemented the feature, with a target of 30% adoption by year-end.