TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese banks’ outstanding credit exposure to New Southbound Policy countries reached NT$2.2506 trillion (US$71.14 billion) at the end of May, setting a new high, according to Financial Supervisory Commission data.
The figure rose NT$21.1 billion from a month earlier, with cumulative growth from January to May reaching NT$251.2 billion, per CNA. That was more than three times the full-year growth target of NT$80 billion, giving a 314% achievement rate.
The Financial Supervisory Commission said this year’s growth target for New Southbound lending is NT$80 billion, while the year-end total balance target is NT$2.0795 trillion. The total balance target was already surpassed in February.
Among individual markets, Australia recorded the largest increase in exposure at NT$88.5 billion, followed by Singapore at NT$54.8 billion, Vietnam at NT$50 billion, and India at NT$30.1 billion. Banks attributed the growth to stronger regional economic activity and rising corporate loan demand.
By institution, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, E.SUN Bank, Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank, and Mega International Commercial Bank posted the strongest increases in overseas credit exposure during the period, per Liberty Times.
Taipei Fubon Bank said its lending growth has been driven by Taiwanese firms expanding production and investment overseas, particularly in Australia, India, and Indonesia. The bank said its New Southbound credit balance has grown more than 15% annually since 2021.
CTBC Bank said it continues to expand its regional footprint across ASEAN, South Asia, and Australia-New Zealand markets. It opened new offices in Haiphong and Binh Duong in Vietnam in 2025 and opened a branch in India’s GIFT City in March.
CTBC said its Sydney branch is undergoing licensing procedures, while its Singapore branch has been upgraded into a regional hub for large multinational corporate clients.
