Taiwanese Banks' New Southbound Lending Surges 182.3bn TWD in Q1, Exceeding Annual Target

According to the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), domestic banks' total outstanding loans to New Southbound countries reached 2.18 trillion TWD by the end of March 2026. The net increase in the first quarter alone was 182.3 billion TWD, far exceeding the annual growth target of 80 billion TWD with a achievement rate of 227%. The FSC noted that the annual target had already been reached in February. The top countries for loan increases compared to the end of 2025 were Australia (up 58.7bn TWD), Vietnam (up 35bn TWD), Singapore (up 34.9bn TWD), and India (up 34.6bn TWD). Among individual banks, Taipei Fubon led with an increase of 30.6bn TWD, followed by E.SUN Bank, First Bank, Taishin Bank, and Mega Bank. Taipei Fubon attributed the growth to strong demand in India, Australia, and Singapore. Cathay United Bank and CTBC Bank also reported significant double-digit growth, citing supply chain relocation trends and cross-border financial opportunities in Southeast Asia.