Corporate Bank Account Opening Support for Members, in Partnership with Hua Nan Bank

Steps

1. Prepare your documents. Gather the identification documents of the legal representative and your company registration documents, with Mandarin translations of any documents issued outside Taiwan. The bank will confirm the full list for the Preparatory Office Account following the introduction.
2. Contact the French Chamber Taiwan. The French Chamber Taiwan will coordinate an introduction with the relevant Hua Nan Bank team.
3. Open a Preparatory Office Account (籌備處帳戶). Hua Nan Bank can open this account before your company registration is complete. The bank will carry out an on-site visit and identity verification (KYC) before opening the account.
4. Deposit your initial capital. The Preparatory Office Account receives the initial equity capital required for registration, as well as working capital.
5. Complete your company registration. Once the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) registration is complete, your company receives its Unified Business Number (統一編號).
6. Convert to an operating account. The Preparatory Office Account is formally converted into an operating corporate account.

Documents required for the operating account

• MOEA approval letter (經濟部核准函)
• Company registration form (公司設立登記表)
• Tax registration letter (稅籍登記證明)
• Identification documents of the legal representative (負責人身分證明文件)
• Any additional documents requested by the bank

Steps

1. Prepare your documents (see list below), including Mandarin translations of any documents issued outside Taiwan and notarizations where required.
2. Contact the French Chamber Taiwan. The French Chamber Taiwan will coordinate an introduction with the relevant Hua Nan Bank team.
3. Complete the bank forms provided by Hua Nan Bank.
4. Attend the branch for verification. The legal representative attends in person for identity verification, and the bank checks your original documents.
5. Bank review. The bank conducts its compliance review and may request additional documents before reaching a decision.

1. Corporate documents to prepare in advance

Original documents must be presented to the bank for verification. The bank will check the originals and stamp the copies for its records.

• Register of Directors (董事名冊)
• Register of Shareholders (股東名冊)
• Articles of Association (公司章程)
• Certificate of Incorporation (公司執照)
• Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Good Standing (公司存續證明); companies incorporated in Hong Kong should also provide their Business Registration Certificate (商業登記證)
• Board resolution approving the opening of the account (董事會議紀錄)
• Identification for the legal representative, each director and each authorized signatory: a passport plus a second form of identification showing a residential address (董事雙證件：護照及有登記通訊地之第二證件)
• Identification for senior management: one form of identification (高階管理人員單一證件)
• Taiwanese nationals serving as legal representative must also provide a copy of their National ID card (負責人為臺灣人民應加徵身分證影本)

Passports are required so that English names can be matched across documents. Please ensure all scans are in color or high resolution, with photos and details clearly legible.

2. Bank forms to be completed with Hua Nan Bank

• Specimen Seal Card (印鑑卡)
• General Account Opening Agreement (開戶總約定書)
• OBU Account Opening Checklist and Due Diligence Form (OBU開戶作業檢核暨盡職調查表)
• CRS and FATCA Entity Self-Certification and Consent Form (CRS及FATCA實體身分聲明書暨資料同意書)
• Account Opening Declaration (開戶聲明書)
• Letter of Authorization (授權書)
• Statement Delivery Method Application (對帳單寄發（或其他交付）方式申請書)
• Senior Management and Ultimate Beneficial Owner Declaration (高階管理人員暨實質受益人聲明書)
• Online Banking Service Application, if required (網路銀行業務服務暨申請書)

3. Supporting document

• Letter of recommendation from the French Chamber Taiwan, if requested (推薦函)

Is this service only for offshore (OBU) accounts?
No. Hua Nan Bank supports foreign-invested companies incorporated in Taiwan, including newly formed subsidiaries, joint ventures and branch offices, as well as offshore companies opening OBU accounts.

My company is not registered yet. Can I still open an account?
Yes. Hua Nan Bank can open a Preparatory Office Account to receive your initial capital during company registration. Once registration is complete and your Unified Business Number is issued, the account is converted into a regular operating account.

Does the legal representative need to visit the bank in person?
In principle, yes. Taiwan's anti-money laundering rules require the legal representative to appear in person for identity verification. If this is not possible, please inform the branch in advance so the bank can advise on next steps.

Do all directors and shareholders need to attend?
No. Directors and shareholders who are not actively involved in managing the company do not need to attend in person, provided you submit a clear ownership chart and passport copies so the bank can verify the ultimate beneficial owners.

Do I need an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)?
No, an ARC is not strictly required. A foreign legal representative without an ARC may present a valid passport together with a certificate of their Taiwan unified ID number for foreign nationals (外來人口統一證號), which can be obtained from the National Immigration Agency.

Do documents need to be notarized?
This applies when someone other than the legal representative handles the account opening on their behalf:

• If the legal representative is overseas and authorizes a third party, the power of attorney or authorization letter must be notarized or authenticated by a Taiwan overseas mission (embassy or representative office).
• If the legal representative is in Taiwan but authorizes a third party, the bank will confirm the authorization directly with the legal representative. If the bank cannot reach them directly, the power of attorney must be notarized or authenticated by a Taiwan overseas mission.

My company does not use a company seal. Can we sign instead?
Yes, under certain conditions. Hua Nan Bank normally requires a company seal matching the account name. However, if your company has registered a signature as its official seal with the government authority, the bank will accept the signature shown in your incorporation or change registration documents.

Can the French Chamber Taiwan provide a letter of recommendation?
Yes. Hua Nan Bank welcomes a letter of recommendation from the French Chamber Taiwan and will consider it favorable supporting evidence during its compliance and risk review. Please contact us to request one.

Is approval guaranteed?
No. The bank may request additional documents following its review, and final approval remains at the bank's discretion.

Members interested in this support are welcome to contact Amber Flynn, Manager of Member Relations & External Affairs, at PR(@)ccift.org.tw. Amber will coordinate an introduction with the relevant Hua Nan Bank team and advise on next steps.