Taiwan: Bank leads 'charity' purchase of glut bananas

Taipei-based First Bank placed a "charity" order with the Pingtung county government in southern Taiwan Tuesday for 35 metric tons of locally grown bananas, the price of which has slumped again this season due to a production glut.
First Bank Vice President Chou Poh-chiao placed the order with the Pingtung Banana Farmers Association via the county government at a press conference to mark the charity purchase.
Chou said at the press conference that First Bank has been around for 110 years and has witnessed Taiwan's economic take-off, as well as its transition from an agrarian to an industrial economy.
He said that as a member of Taiwanese society, First Bank decided to purchase the bananas to help tide Pingtung banana farmers over their financial difficulties.
The fruit will be distributed to First Bank employees, clients, and two Pingtung-based charity organizations, he added.