The names and their identity numbers, which are partially concealed for privacy reasons, are now available at the CDIC’s Web site www.cdic.gov.tw.

The data show that more than 2,800 customers owe close to NT$14 billion to the three banks: The Chinese Bank, of the Rebar Group; the Enterprise Bank of Hualien based in eastern Taiwan; and the Taitung Business Bank in southeastern Taiwan, which have been taken over by CDIC.

The Chinese Bank is burdened with 1,200 non-performing loans totaling NT$6.9 billion; followed by the Taitung Business Bank, nearly 900 NPLs with NT$3.6 billion; and the Enterprise Bank of Hualien, 670 NPLs with NT$3.3 billion.

Officials disclosed the bad-loan list in accordance with the rules of the Restructuring Trust Corp. (RTC) statute.

These are the first such disclosure made by the government in a move to stem financial scams and pacify the public outcry over a string of financial fiascoes.

People may visit the CDIC Web site and then click the RTC icon on the left side bar.

Officials said the name list will be mainly used for reference and any parties that want to quote or interpret the data should verify possible duplication of the same names, so no disputes arise.

The list will remain valid for three years but will also be constantly updated with the latest financial information.

Premier Su Tseng-chang also plans to make public the holders of large-sized NPLs at other financial institutions regardless the background, personality, privileges, and political affiliations of the debtors.

But this action will be taken only after the Legislative Yuan completes ratification of a set of revisions to the Banking Act as the legal base for the publication of the selected names.

Former Premier Yu Shyi-kun, who currently serves as chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, attempted to disclose the names of 300 large debtors to financial institutions in October 2002.

But he later abandoned the plan owing to mounting pressure.

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