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Both domestic and international scholars and research papers have unanimously shown an optimistic view on the development of wealth management in Taiwan. Many foreign banks also support this optimism with enthusiastic participation in Taiwan’s wealth management markets.
Taiwan’s financial industry has currently been experiencing severe changes. On the banking side, the government has been encouraging the establishment of new banks, as well as credit cooperatives reform. Due to fierce competition, over banking has resulted, thus reducing the earning capacity of banks. Furthermore, the Asian financial circus and a series of incidents thereafter took place in 1997 and 1999, respectively, caused a large amount of overdue loans and bad debt. With regards to securities houses, price competition and an increased number of institutional investors in the stock market have created pressure for structural change. Insurance companies, on the other hand, are suffering in the drop of interest rates, which has dramatically increased the premiums on traditional life insurance. In addition, fluctuation of foreign exchange rates has also negatively impacted their overseas investment holdings. Banks, securities houses and insurance companies, all regard the development of wealth management as a “Blue Sea Strategy” for the current predicament.
All of the above industries have their own strengths and weaknesses in the wealth management market. This research will do a comparative analysis on wealth management regulations, products and tax treatments among the three industries.
After examining the wealth management regulation of banks, securities houses, and the insurance companies, one can conclude that they are quite similar, but improvements can still be made on the legislation side. Regarding products, these three industries may offer similar products, however they provide the room of differentiation. Based on the tax treatment, there are distinct and separate treatments for each of the three industries, especially in the area of inheritance tax.
According to my research, I propose the following:
First, it is vital to prevent the bank, securities houses and insurance companies from experiencing inequality within regulations concerning wealth management. This will enable the industries to compete under the same norm.
Secondly, banks, securities houses and insurance companies should develop its niche products and services to create differentiation with one another.
Lastly, the regulations regarding the minimum taxation on overseas income, as well as the inheritance and donation tax should be re-examined to keep large proportions of capitals from flowing out of the country.
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