TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — To mark International Migrants Day, Taipei Fubon Bank partnered with nonprofit One-Forty to launch multilingual banking services, helping Taiwan’s 860,000 migrant workers access banking services, per a press release.
The initiative targets workers from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, offering guides, videos, and interactive tools in their native languages to help them navigate accounts, transfers, and other services. The program also seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and strengthen social inclusion.
One-Forty founder Kevin Chen (陳凱翔) said last year’s “Migrant Worker Financial Literacy and Behavior Survey” found that over 30% of migrant workers struggled to use Taiwan’s financial services due to language barriers, while 44% cited language issues as a main factor in falling victim to scams. The initiative aims to reduce these risks and encourage safe use of formal financial channels.
Kelly Kuo (郭佳綾), senior vice president of Taipei Fubon Bank, noted that migrant workers are a vital part of Taiwan’s workforce and long-term care system, yet many remain unfamiliar with financial terminology and procedures. The multilingual services are designed to build confidence, facilitate transactions, and deepen trust between migrant communities and financial institutions.
The bank’s “Common Banking Services Guide” is available in Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino, using visuals for clarity. Branches have also deployed English-speaking “English Service Advisors” and expanded ATM language options to make banking more approachable.
In addition to transaction support, Taipei Fubon Bank has introduced anti-fraud measures, including multilingual guides, bilingual Chinese-English communication cards, and educational videos in Indonesian, with Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino versions coming soon. A bilingual board game, “Abundant Life,” reinforces financial literacy in an interactive format.
Migrant workers have welcomed the services. Joyce, a Filipino worker, said the guide clarified account opening and transfers, smoothing in-person interactions. Hanna, from Indonesia, said the anti-fraud guide helped her understand the “165” hotline, while fellow worker Mia praised Indonesian-language ATMs and English-speaking staff for reducing her fear of errors.
The bank said financial equity is an ongoing commitment. Taipei Fubon Bank plans to expand multilingual services, optimize branch processes, and continue promoting financial literacy and scam awareness among migrant communities.
By combining practical banking tools with cultural sensitivity, the initiative aims to help foreign residents integrate more easily into Taiwan’s society while safeguarding their financial security.
