Taiwan's Prominent Bank Confirms Merger! 'Merger Effective Date' Revealed, 66 Branches Nationwide to Transfer, 74-Year-Old Name Retired

Taiwan's financial industry is undergoing a significant transformation. The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) officially announced yesterday (7th) the approval of the merger between Sinopac Commercial Bank and Ching Cheng Commercial Bank, with 'Sinopac Bank' as the surviving entity. According to the FSC, following the merger, the total number of domestic branches will expand significantly to 189—comprising 125 from Sinopac Bank and 66 from Ching Cheng Bank—making it the second-largest domestic bank in Taiwan, trailing only behind the Cooperative Bank of Taiwan with 248 branches. The currently proposed merger effective date is January 1, 2027.

Sinopac Bank has confirmed the 'merger with Ching Cheng Bank'—here is the merger effective date at a glance.

This high-profile financial consolidation originated when Sinopac Financial Holdings completed the merger with Ching Cheng Bank, a long-established bank with over 74 years of presence in southern Taiwan, on October 1, 2025. At that time, Sinopac Financial Holdings already held 100% ownership of both Sinopac Bank and Ching Cheng Bank. Subsequently, on March 27, 2026, the boards of directors of both banks, acting in lieu of shareholders' meetings, passed resolutions approving the merger.

What is the share exchange ratio? When is the merger effective date?

In terms of merger consideration, Sinopac Bank will issue new shares to Ching Cheng Bank’s shareholders, with any shortfall settled in cash.

According to Wang Yun-chung, Deputy Director-General of the FSC's Banking Bureau, as of the end of December 2025, the total assets of Sinopac Bank and Ching Cheng Bank were approximately NT$2.83 trillion and NT$0.36 trillion, respectively.

Following the merger, the surviving bank's core financial and operational metrics will be comprehensively upgraded:

- Total Asset Size: Pro forma combined total assets will reach NT$3.19 trillion. - Capital Size: Post-merger capital will be approximately NT$129.4 billion. - Branch Expansion: Domestic operational outlets will increase to 191 locations (including the head offices of both banks).

FSC Approval: Merged Bank to Operate 189 Branches

Wang Yun-chung stated that based on the application documents and factual assessments submitted by the institutions, the two banks exhibit high complementarity in terms of domestic branch distribution, core business strengths, and customer positioning. This merger will substantially enhance overall operational scale and market competitiveness.

Loan Market Share Ranks 12th Among Domestic Banks! 710 ATMs Propel Network to Top 7

The FSC further disclosed the new market rankings following the merger. In addition to becoming the second-largest domestic bank with 189 branches, the pro forma combined deposit and loan market shares will rank 12th among domestic banks.

Regarding the number of physical ATMs—most relevant to the public—Sinopac Bank previously had 636 units and Ching Cheng Bank had 74. Combined, the total ATM count will reach 710, immediately placing the merged entity as the 7th largest in Taiwan's market, offering a denser service network.

Regarding the subsequent merger timeline, the FSC emphasized that the actual merger can only proceed after ensuring complete information security (cybersecurity), customer service quality, and all safety aspects. Although the currently proposed merger effective date is January 1, 2027, Wang Yun-chung added that this date is for reference only and remains subject to change.