Taiwan is pushing to turn its chip-industry wealth into financial firepower, a plus for its banks, brokers and the Taipei stock market.

• President Lai Ching-te wants Taiwan to become Asia's asset management center, with looser financial rules to let banks and insurers grow the business.
• Money managed by Taiwan's financial firms has jumped sharply since the plan started in 2024, though most of that likely comes from soaring stock prices, not policy.
• The AI boom is the real engine — Taiwan's main stock index is up almost 60% in the first half of this year, led by TSMC.
• Taiwan's banks, brokers and insurers made record profits, and the economy is expected to grow at a double-digit pace this year.
• Next steps include a new law on asset management, a special finance zone in Kaohsiung, and building the Taiwan Innovation Board into an "Asian Nasdaq" for startups.

Outlook: Expect more rule changes aimed at pulling in foreign money and listings, but Taiwan's financial boom stays tied to how long the AI chip rally lasts.