TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Bank of Taiwan (BOT, 台灣銀行) will open all 160 branches next week for Lunar New Year currency exchanges, General Manager Wu Chia-hsiao (吳佳曉) announced Monday (Feb. 2). The Central Bank (CBC, 央行) will control the quantities of currency, while BOT will meet demand as much as possible. Wu also revealed that BOT achieved a record-breaking pre-tax profit of NT$32.7 billion (around US$1.03 billion) in 2025.
Wu noted that BOT's profits have surpassed NT$40 billion (around US$1.27 billion) for two consecutive years when policy burdens are included. He expressed optimism about the 2026 economic outlook, pointing to Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations that concluded with a favorable 15% non-cumulative rate. Wu believes this will aid traditional industries and improve last year's K-shaped economy, an economic model representing extreme polarization of incomes across different industry sectors.
Wu downplayed concerns about potential impacts from U.S. President Donald Trump's appointment of Kevin Warsh, former Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, as the new Fed chair, stating the effect on financial markets would be limited. He highlighted Taiwan's significant economic growth last year, with the stock market index reaching new heights. BOT's total assets have reached NT$6.8 trillion (around US$215.2 billion), with deposits of NT$5.3 trillion (around US$167.7 billion) and loans of NT$3.5 trillion (around US$110.8 billion).
Wu remains optimistic about loan growth this year, driven by major investments and a resurgence in traditional industries, as BOT prepares to serve customers seeking new bills for the Lunar New Year holiday, which symbolizes renewal and fresh starts in Chinese culture. The bank's branch network across Taiwan will handle the currency exchange to meet public demand during the festive period. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.60)