TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s offshore securities units (OSUs) rebounded with NT$429 million (US$13.2 million) in pre-tax earnings in February, the Financial Supervisory Commission said Sunday.

Additionally, offshore banking units (OBUs) generated NT$9.34 billion in profits, a 16.3% increase month-on-month, reflecting strong net investment returns and reduced bad debt write-offs, per CNA.

FSC Banking Bureau Chief Secretary Wang Yun-chung (王允中) said falling US interest rates and stronger net investment returns drove growth. Compared to last year, February saw better asset quality and fewer write-downs.

OSUs also reported US$14.9 billion in trading volume for February, a US$5.5 billion year-on-year increase. FSC Securities and Futures Bureau Deputy Director-General Kao Ching-ping (高晶萍) said lower US Treasury yields boosted bond holdings and earnings.

Deposits and loans at OBUs rose significantly in February. Deposits hit NT$3.99 trillion, up 18.8% year-on-year, while loans grew 11.7% to NT$2.45 trillion.

Offshore insurance units (OIUs) earned US$2.8 million pre-tax in February, up nearly 63% from January, per UDN. However, cumulative OIU profits for the first two months of the year fell 21% year-on-year to US$4.52 million.

FSC Insurance Bureau Deputy Director-General Chen Ching-yuan (陳清源) said the drop was due to weaker interest income, delayed reinsurance recoveries, and reserve releases. Despite February’s rebound, full-year performance remains uncertain amid external risks, he added.