Taiwan

Price per share of private placement tagged at US$0.51 allows firm to raise US$1.3bln.

Lender eyes expanding its loan business by 10% and emerging as leader in mobile banking services.

Lender allowed investing as much as 15% of its net worth in China.

Six lenders immediately applied for branch expansion in Mainland following FSC approval.

Country’s total loans of top-10 syndicated lenders amounted to US$2.5bln led by Taiwan Cooperative at US$544mln.

Lender sees funding of Taiwan’s rail project and improved relationship with foreign banks as growth drivers.

Chinatrust aims to use Sumitomo’s $85mln investment for its expansion in the mainland.

Fitch Ratings expects Taiwanese banks to generate slightly better earnings in 2010 as they benefit from the modest global economic recovery.

Banks assured customers that they will watch closely on their loan exposure in the European country.

Tie-up was spurred by the signing of financial Memorandum of Understanding between Taiwan and Mainland.

BOT chair said it considers buying China's municipal banks while forming alliances with its top lenders.

IBT plans to put up a trust company specialising in securitising assets.

Hwatai Bank is expected to generate pre-loan profits in two years with less credit costs and breakeven bottom-line.

Finance committee doubts Bank of Taiwan and Land Bank union will create synergy.

Taiwan's banking sector remains one of the least profitable in Asia with slim prospects for near-term profit growth. This is due to the slow pace of economic recovery. In addition, the industry's thin earnings level supports only a modest ability to absorb incremental credit costs under the current unfavorable economic climate. That's according to a report titled "Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment: Taiwan", published by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

Lack of details and inconsistencies in data caused regulator's disapproval.