Approximately 21% of KTB’s branches are located in or near areas designated by the government as “Priority Regions for Regional Revitalization.” Over the years, KTB has witnessed the challenges faced by schoolchildren in these areas, which often result from industrial transformation and population outflow. These include issues such as grandparent-led upbringing, cultural disruption, and shortages of qualified teaching staff, which in turn affect students' interest in learning and academic performance. Therefore, we not only invest in hardware resources but also engage in long-term collaboration with social welfare organizations. We delve into schools to provide ongoing companionship and support, realizing inclusive finance through financial education. This initiative assists students and families in rural areas in establishing fundamental financial knowledge, learning to effectively utilize financial services, and gradually cultivating financial management skills. Through these efforts, we aim to transform their future and help them escape their current economic difficulties.
At the same time, in order to implement a fair treatment of customers policy and promote the vision of inclusive finance, it is essential to enhance employees' understanding and awareness of the service needs of various customer groups. In addition to conducting routine financial education initiatives, we have organized a variety of financial education activities, both online and in-person, targeting various social strata, including individuals with disabilities, the elderly, new residents, and students/youth. These efforts aim to enhance the public's knowledge of financial products and their ability to bear risks, thereby promoting the widespread dissemination of financial knowledge and achieving the dual objectives of financial equity and inclusive finance.
Industry-Academia Cooperation among Colleges and Universities
We place a high value on collaboration between academia and industry. Through two-way exchanges, we aim to seamlessly integrate financial theory with industry practices, while also fostering the development of innovative business models and attracting outstanding talent from the industry. Our achievements in industry-academia collaboration can be referenced through diversified recruitment channels, and we have established in-depth partnerships with top academic institutions such as National Cheng Kung University. Through various forms of cooperation, we jointly cultivate future financial elites with forward-looking perspectives.
√ We have held "Sustainable & Transformational FinTech and Impact Investing International Practice Forum" for 5 consecutive years in cooperation with Innovative Fintech Business Models Center, National Cheng Kung University as well as many enterprises. In 2024, Vice President You Qiwei and Manager Ho Chinyun served as panelists, sharing insights on how enterprises are responding to the rapid evolution of sustainable finance and the disruptive impact of emerging financial technologies. Their contributions aimed to equip future financial professionals with practical perspectives and professional expertise, helping them align with international financial market developments and sustainable finance trends.
√ Vice President You Qiwei has been a course lecturer of Innovative Fintech Business Models Center of National Cheng Kung University for 5 consecutive years.
√ On April 24, 2024, Vice President You Qiwei was invited to deliver a special lecture titled “Foresight and Reflection in FinTech” at the Department of Finance, College of Management, Chang Jung Christian University. In this lecture, he shared forward-looking insights and critical reflections on FinTech, exploring trends in digital finance and the opportunities and challenges brought by technological innovation. This academic exchange fostered diverse thinking among students regarding the future of financial technology.
√ Organized three corporate visit activities incorporating topics such as digital financial trends, financial inclusiveness, and fair treatment of customers:
1. 28 students from the Department of Finance, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology participated in a visit, with an overall satisfaction rate of 98%.
2. In accordance with a course program, 5 students from Fu Jen Catholic University visited the Taipei Branch, where they were introduced to the Company and its internship program.
3. 13 students from the Department of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University participated in a visit, achieving an overall satisfaction rate of 100%.
Inclusive Financing Education in the Community
◆ " Anti-Scam Advocacy" Protects the Publics' Assets
We are acutely aware that the methods of fraud are constantly evolving with technological advancements. This is particularly true for the elderly, who, due to their unfamiliarity with technological products, limited exposure to current events, and narrower social circles, are more likely to become primary targets of fraud groups. The branches of KTB are primarily located in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan area, where the customer demographic tends to be older. However, leveraging the trust established over many years, we have made "anti-fraud advocacy" a key community care initiative, actively safeguarding the security of our customers' assets. Through the proactive efforts of various branches, we aim to enhance public awareness of fraud by sharing case studies, providing practical anti-fraud response tips, and conducting interactive promotions. In 2024, we will hold a total of 87 "Anti-Fraud Advocacy" events, benefiting 1,452 individuals. In addition to daily advocacy, the Company employees also serve as the first line of defense against fraud, demonstrating high vigilance and enthusiasm, carefully detecting unusual transactions, and proactively caring for customers, thereby establishing a safety barrier for society. In 2024, a total of 115 fraud cases were successfully intercepted, thereby preventing a loss of NT$37.9 million to the public.
◆ "Financial Services Charity Carnival": A Fun and Educational Community Financial Carnival
The "Taiwan Financial Services Roundtable" aims to promote financial literacy and enhance public understanding of the financial industry's commitment to financial education and social welfare initiatives. Each year, it consolidates financial education resources from various financial associations and related organizations to host the "Financial Services Charity Carnival." The event focuses on promoting financial knowledge, supporting charitable organizations, and preventing financial fraud. It seeks to inform the public about the financial industry's dedication to advancing financial education and contributing to social welfare. By integrating the resources of financial institutions, the event highlights the financial services sector's commitment to inclusive finance, equitable fair treatment of customers, and active participation in social welfare and corporate social responsibility. This year, the Headquarters and other branch volunteers (including the Business Department at the Head Office, Tainan, Fucheng, and Xinxing branches) jointly organized the "2024 Financial Services Charity Carnival - Tainan" event. The location is at the west side plaza of the Yonghua Municipal Center in Anping District, Tainan City. Through simple financial education mini-games, the event aims to promote anti-fraud knowledge to the public. During the event, many elderly individuals and children participated in the booth games. While they were surprised by the endless new types of scams, the lively guidance and easy-to-understand explanations provided by the Company's staff helped the public learn how to prevent scam tactics in their daily lives, remember anti-scam tips, and increase their knowledge of financial education. On that day, the interactive booth games attracted 300 participants.
◆ Promote Equal Opportunity in Education
"Social Entertainment Enterprise: See the World with Your Heart" goes to rural communities to introduce new possibilities to children
"Social Entertainment Enterprise" is the first social enterprise in Taiwan focused on emotional health. It is dedicated to guiding students in recognizing the importance of emotional well-being and provides stress relief channels through artistic creation. For five consecutive years, KTB has collaborated with "Social Entertainment Enterprise." In 2024, employees from the Headquarters, Minghsiung Branch, and Dalin Branch gathered at Songshan Elementary School, Minxiong Township, Chiayi County, to provide a series of meticulously designed courses for 21 students. These courses included art creation for stress relief, financial education, and environmental protection promotion activities, aimed at broadening the diverse learning horizons of children in remote areas and stimulating their potential and creativity.
Understanding emotions and depression is the core of the curriculum implementation. Through the process of creating visual art, children are assisted in recognizing their own emotions, learning emotional management and stress relief techniques, and guided to engage in inner dialogue, thereby discovering the power of self-healing. In addition, the course content integrates the professional competencies of KTB, arranging a course on "Fraud Prevention" to cultivate children's understanding of proper financial values and financial literacy. At the same time, it incorporates environmental sustainability issues, emphasizing the concept of ESG, making the entire course more enriching, practical, and inspiring.
