Bank of Kaohsiung Co., Ltd. is a pioneer in the financial market in southern Taiwan, with a philosophy of "serving the community and promoting development" in the fields of retail banking, corporate finance and municipal financial services. Founded on January 13, 1982, it was founded by the Kaohsiung Municipal Government and is headquartered at No. 168, Boai 2nd Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. As a listed company controlled by the Kaohsiung City Government (TWSE: 2836), Kaohsiung Bank serves more than 1 million customers and has become the financial pillar of southern Taiwan with its solid financial performance and innovative capabilities.
Basic Bank Information
Bank of Kaohsiung is a commercial bank, publicly owned, established on January 13, 1982, headquartered at No. 168, Boai 2nd Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Founded by the Kaohsiung City Government to support municipal construction and local economic development, the Bank became a public company in 1998 (Taiwan Stock Exchange: 2836), with major shareholders including the Kaohsiung City Government, institutional investors, and public shareholders. Banks are strictly regulated by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) of Taiwan and are required to comply with the Banking Act and international financial standards to ensure operational transparency and the safety of customer funds. Its deposits are protected by Taiwan's deposit insurance system, with a maximum coverage of NT$3 million per depositor. The bank's SWIFT code is BKAOTWTP and the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is 5493003NOCSC6LUWUF03. Bank of Kaohsiung has 36 branches in Taiwan (including 1 offshore banking unit and 2 mini branches) and branches in the Americas, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, with approximately 1,000 employees worldwide.
Deposit & Loan Products
deposits
Kaohsiung Bank offers a wide range of deposit products to meet the savings needs of individual and corporate customers:
Fixed deposits: 12 currencies such as NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR, USD and RMB are supported, with deposit terms ranging from 1 month to 5 years, and the minimum deposit amount is NT$5,000. In 2025, the fixed deposit interest rate will vary according to the maturity, such as about 1.225% for 1 month, 1.5% for 3 months, 1.8% for 6 months, 2.0% for 1 year, and 2.5% for 2 years (based on the average interest rate of the five major banks in Taiwan).
Featured products:
high-yield savings account: such as "Kaohsiung Uni Savings Account", which offers an annualized interest rate of up to 1.5%, and needs to maintain a balance of more than NT$100,000 with no monthly fee.
Large Certificates of Deposit (CD): Support flexible tenor, suitable for large amount of money customers, the interest rate needs to be queried through the branch or app, and the early withdrawal penalty is 90 to 180 days of interest.
Customers can check the "Cloud Interest Rate" offer through the "Kaohsiung Bank e-Banking" app or online banking, and the deposit products support instant opening and interest rate calculation, and some accounts provide free transaction fee discounts.
Demand Deposits: Including checking accounts and savings accounts, such as "Kaohsiung Savings Account", the minimum account opening amount is NT$1,000, and the base annualized rate of return (APY) is about 0.05%-0.3%, and the latest interest rate needs to be confirmed through branch or online banking. Demand deposits are divided into interest-free accounts (minimum balance of NT$10,000, suitable for individuals, companies, businesses, and organizations) and interest-bearing accounts (minimum balance of NT$1,000, suitable for natural persons or non-profit legal persons, who need to maintain a daily balance of NT$5,000 or NT$10,000 to earn interest).
Loans
Kaohsiung Bank offers a comprehensive range of loan products to meet diverse financing needs:
mortgages: Fixed- and variable-rate mortgages with a loan amount of up to 80% of the value of the property and a repayment period of up to 30 years. In 2025, the fixed interest rate will be as low as 1.6% (3-year term), the floating interest rate will be based on the minimum lending rate (MLR, about 5.5%), and cash rebates and insurance discounts will be provided, and the application will require a credit score of 660 or more and an annual income of more than NT$30,000.
Car Loans: Support financing for new and used cars, with a loan amount of up to NT$3 million, a term of up to 72 months, an annualized interest rate (APR) as low as 1.88%, and a credit score of 660 or above.
Personal Line of Credit: Including Kaohsiung personal loans (APR as low as NT$5.99% and amount up to NT$1.5 million) and asset-backed overdrafts (up to 95% of collateral market value), the application threshold is a monthly salary of more than NT$30,000 and a good credit history.
Flexible repayment options: Mortgages and personal loans offer no penalty for early repayment, weekly or bi-weekly payment plans, and a revolving line of credit for flexible debt management.
All loans are subject to bank approval, and customers are required to provide credit history, proof of income and asset information, subject to the terms of the loan agreement. The bank's agriculture, fishing and labour loan services provide additional support to the local economy.
service experience
Kaohsiung Bank's mobile banking app "Kaohsiung Bank e-Bank" is the core of its digital services, which is available for download on iOS 14.0 and above and Android 9.0 and above devices, with an App Store rating of about 4.5 and a Google Play rating of about 4.3, with users praising its quick launch (within 2 seconds) and intuitive interface. Core features include:
Face recognition: supports biometric authentication (such as Face ID and Touch ID), combined with strong encryption technology to ensure transaction security.
Real-time transfer: Support real-time transfer of NTD through the Taiwan interbank transfer system, with a daily limit of up to NT$1 million, international remittance covering more than 100 countries, and cooperate with Western Union and other platforms to provide low-rate transfers.
Bill management: Support online bill payment, automatic deduction and e-statement, and classify transaction records in real time.
Investment Tool Integration: Support stocks, funds, bonds, and derivatives trading through the Kaohsiung Investment Platform, providing real-time market data and investment advisory services. The
online banking platform "Kaohsiung Personal Internet Banking" supports multiple browsers and provides similar functions, and customers can complete the account opening within 5 minutes through the app or official website. The app supports accessibility features such as dynamic font adjustment and VoiceOver compatibility for visually impaired and hearing-impaired customers. Some users reported occasional technical issues, but the bank continued to optimize the user experience.
Technological innovation
Kaohsiung Bank is actively exploring in the field of fintech, relying on its information technology department to promote digital transformation:
AI customer service: Introducing an AI-driven customer service system to analyze transaction behavior and detect fraud risks in real time , with plans to launch a virtual assistant in 2025 that will support 24/7 inquiries and personalized financial advice.
Open Banking API Support: Follows the Open Banking Framework of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and integrates with third-party service providers to provide account management and financial services interoperability, especially in the areas of trade finance and cross-border payments.
Other innovations: support for QR code payments, mobile check deposits, and the eTradeConnect platform to simplify trade finance applications; Launched online foreign exchange service, customers can book foreign currency through online banking and collect it at designated branches. In 2024, the bank will invest NT$1 billion to upgrade its cloud technology and data analytics platform to improve operational efficiency.
Featured Services & Differentiation
Kaohsiung Bank is known for its localized services and regional presence:
Kaohsiung Municipal Construction Support: As the municipal treasury of the Kaohsiung City Government, the bank supports urban infrastructure projects, Provide special loans and financial services.
SME support: Provide customized loans and cash management services through Kaohsiung SME Services, participate in the SME Financing Guarantee Program of the Taiwan Financial Regulatory Commission, and approve loans in as fast as 10 seconds and up to NT$3 million.
International presence: It has branches in the Americas, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands to support trade financing in countries along the Belt and Road.
Sustainable Finance: Launched green bonds and preferential rate loans to support environment-friendly projects, and won the "Taiwan Green Finance Pioneer Award" in 2023 in response to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking.
Community Contribution: Support education and charity projects through the Kaohsiung Bank Foundation, donate NT$3 million for community development in 2023, hold financial literacy lectures, and improve the financial literacy ability of young people.
Market Position & Honors
Bank of Kaohsiung is one of the leading commercial banks in southern Taiwan, with total assets of about NT$400 billion in 2024, ranking among the top regional banks in Taiwan. With 36 branches (including 1 offshore banking unit and 2 mini-branches), the bank serves more than 1 million customers and occupies a leading position in the SME and retail banking segments. Its international presence covers the Americas, Australia and the Middle East, and it ranked high on the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2023. Major accolades include:
2023 "Best Community Bank in Taiwan" Award.
2022 Greenwich Associates SME Customer Experience Award.
The 2023 "Best Employer" certification recognizes performance in employee development and community support.
2023 "Taiwan Green Finance Pioneer Award".
Kaohsiung Bank's solid financial performance and innovation capabilities have made it a leader in the financial markets of Taiwan and the region.
Conclusion
Kaohsiung Bank Co., Ltd. has become a pioneer in the financial market in southern Taiwan with its deep community roots, international business layout and innovative financial services. It offers a wide range of deposit and loan products, including high-yield savings accounts, term deposits, and flexible mortgages and personal loans, to meet the diverse needs of its customers. In terms of digital services, the "Kaohsiung Bank e-Bank" app has been widely praised for its efficient real-time transfer and investment management functions. Technological innovations, including AI customer service, open banking APIs, and mobile payment platforms, demonstrate its forward-looking digital transformation. With its Kaohsiung municipal construction support, SME loans, sustainable finance commitments, and multiple industry accolades in 2023, Kaohsiung Bank continues to demonstrate strong competitiveness and influence in the financial markets of Taiwan and the region.
Note:
specific interest rates and product details may vary depending on market changes, please check the official website of Kaohsiung Bank or contact the bank directly for the latest information.
