Taiwan Banks Seek E-Signature and Tax Reforms for Asset Hub

Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission is promoting an Asian asset-management hub aimed at attracting more capital, products and financial talent. Banks say the initiative will require more than expanded investment offerings: Taiwan must also modernize lending and transaction procedures, create a regionally competitive tax regime and provide a dedicated legal framework. Regulatory trial zones are intended to test new services before broader adoption.

Banking industry representatives have recently advanced proposals on two fronts. On technology, they want regulators to permit cross-branch identity verification and wider use of electronic signatures, which could speed up loan processing and reduce paper-based compliance work. On policy, they are calling for tax incentives and purpose-built legislation. The pace at which the FSC turns experiments into permanent rules will help determine whether the asset-hub plan gains traction.