The nation's seven principal banks reported a total of non-performing loans (NPLs) at NT$539.5 billion at the end of April, increasing by NT$2 billion from March, Chinese-language news reports said yesterday.
First Commercial Bank (第一銀行) reported an NPL ratio of 8.24 percent in April, compared to 8.39 percent in March. The bank's bad debts totalled NT$71.3 billion last month, down NT$1.4 billion from the previous month. Chang Hwa Bank (彰化銀行) reported similar results in April with its NPL ratio edged down to 9.39 percent from 9.43 percent in March, the reports said.
Meanwhile, Hua Nan Holdings (華南金控) saw its NPL ratio climb to 9.2 percent in April from 8.98 percent in March. The bank's total bad debts reached NT$74.9 billion, up NT$2 billion from a month ago.
Bank of Taiwan's (台灣銀行) bad debts amounted to NT$5.6 billion in April, up NT$300 million from March, with a NPL ratio at 4 percent compared with 3.94 percent in the earlier month.
Taiwan Business Bank (台灣企銀) had the highest NPL ratio in April, 11.91 percent from 11.47 percent in March, the reports said.
‘NO SECURITY RISK’: The Railway Bureau reassured the public that the technicians’ activities were limited to technical guidance and did not involve sensitive systems The Railway Bureau yesterday said it had invited eight Chinese technicians to assist with an airport MRT construction project. The bureau issued the confirmation after an Internet user said Chinese nationals had entered the construction zone of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3 project. They asked why “individuals from an enemy state” were allowed access to such a major national infrastructure project, which raised serious concerns over Taiwan’s industrial safety, sensitive systems and information security. The bureau’s Northern Region Engineering Branch Office said subcontractor Taiwan Handle Industrial Co (台灣手把工業) of the Taoyuan airport MRT’s “Contract No. CU05 Project A14 Station Civil, MEP &
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