Taiwan’s struggling banks look to China

Taiwan’s banks are among Asia’s most unprofitable. They have for years searched for ways to grow. Improved relations with China offer the promise of entry into a hugely profitable new market, but it won’t be easy. Lawrence White reports.

VICTOR KUNG IS just warming up on the subject of the problems facing Taiwan’s banking sector in a meeting room in his firm’s Taipei headquarters when, without warning, the lights go out. As the power cut momentarily plunges the entire building into gloom, Kung says that Euromoney will at least have had a memorable visit to his offices and his colleague jokes that the walk down to the ground floor after the meeting will provide valuable exercise.

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