Taiwan Banks’ March Lending Jumps Record NT$707.7 Billion as First-Quarter Profit Hits High

Domestic bank lending reflects corporate activity and private-sector funding demand, making it a key gauge of economic momentum. Data from Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission showed that banks continued to expand funding, driven in particular by a marked rise in corporate working-capital demand. The lending growth, together with interest income and overseas operations, boosted profits.

Domestic bank lending increased by a record NT$707.7 billion in March, with working-capital loans accounting for nearly 90% of the rise. First-quarter pretax profit reached NT$174.28 billion, the highest ever for the period. Overseas branches also posted record profit of NT$28.9 billion, showing that lending demand and overseas earnings supported performance in tandem.