Domestic Banks' SME Loans Grow 43.9B NTD in First 2 Months, 3rd Highest in 10 Years
Taiwan's FSC reported that domestic banks' outstanding loans to SMEs reached 10.93 trillion NTD by February. The 43.9 billion NTD increase over the first two months is the 3rd highest in a decade, driven by economic optimism.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 23:19
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Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Su Ssu-yun, Taipei, 16th) Statistics from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) show that the outstanding balance of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by domestic banks reached 10.9324 trillion NTD by the end of February, an increase of 16.4 billion NTD from the previous month. The total increase for the first two months was 43.9 billion NTD, marking the third highest for this period in the past 10 years. The FSC stated that companies anticipate economic improvement, which is driving up demand for working capital; however, repayments of syndicated loans in February resulted in a relatively smaller single-month increase.
The FSC today announced the status of SME lending by domestic banks as of the end of February. The FSC noted that the outstanding loan balance for SMEs reached 10.9324 trillion NTD by the end of February, up 16.4 billion NTD for the month.
Chang Chia-kuei, Deputy Director General of the FSC's Banking Bureau, stated that the cumulative increase of 43.9 billion NTD in SME loans by domestic banks in the first two months of this year is the third highest for this period in a decade, trailing only the 84.4 billion NTD in 2021 and 69.1 billion NTD in 2022.
Regarding the reasons for this growth, Chang pointed out that the primary factor is a rebound in working capital demand, driving an increase in operating turnover. Furthermore, companies are optimistic about future economic recovery and are planning to expand their operational premises, leading to increased financing needs for SMEs to purchase real estate. However, because there were also repayments of syndicated loans and construction financing in February, the growth rate for the month slowed down.
Chang explained that the annual target for SME lending by domestic banks is determined by referencing economic growth rates in addition to the banks' own estimates. The process is currently underway, and the target value for domestic banks' SME lending for this year is expected to be set in May. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150416
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(CNA Reporter Su Ssu-yun, Taipei, 16th) Statistics from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) show that the outstanding balance of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by domestic banks reached 10.9324 trillion NTD by the end of February, an increase of 16.4 billion NTD from the previous month. The total increase for the first two months was 43.9 billion NTD, marking the third highest for this period in the past 10 years. The FSC stated that companies anticipate economic improvement, which is driving up demand for working capital; however, repayments of syndicated loans in February resulted in a relatively smaller single-month increase.
The FSC today announced the status of SME lending by domestic banks as of the end of February. The FSC noted that the outstanding loan balance for SMEs reached 10.9324 trillion NTD by the end of February, up 16.4 billion NTD for the month.
Chang Chia-kuei, Deputy Director General of the FSC's Banking Bureau, stated that the cumulative increase of 43.9 billion NTD in SME loans by domestic banks in the first two months of this year is the third highest for this period in a decade, trailing only the 84.4 billion NTD in 2021 and 69.1 billion NTD in 2022.
Regarding the reasons for this growth, Chang pointed out that the primary factor is a rebound in working capital demand, driving an increase in operating turnover. Furthermore, companies are optimistic about future economic recovery and are planning to expand their operational premises, leading to increased financing needs for SMEs to purchase real estate. However, because there were also repayments of syndicated loans and construction financing in February, the growth rate for the month slowed down.
Chang explained that the annual target for SME lending by domestic banks is determined by referencing economic growth rates in addition to the banks' own estimates. The process is currently underway, and the target value for domestic banks' SME lending for this year is expected to be set in May. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150416
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.