Kong Jaw-sheng

Kong Jaw-sheng
Born	Template:Birth date Guanshan, Taitung, Taiwan
Died	March 18, 2016(2016-03-18) (aged 60)
Occupation	Banking executive
Years active	1983–2006
Known for	First chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission (2004–2006)

Kong Jaw-sheng (; born 29 March 1955 – passed away 18 March 2016) was a prominent Taiwanese banking executive who held the position of the first chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission between 2004 and 2006. His birthplace was Guanshan, Taitung.

Career

Between 1983 and 1987, Kong was employed at the Development Bank of Singapore. He became part of UBS Taiwan in 1991 and subsequently established Lehman Brothers' Taiwan branch in 1995. From 1999, he managed the Taiwan operations for Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, which was later integrated into Credit Suisse First Boston. Kong departed from CSFB in 2002 and, by 2003, had joined the boards of both Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation and Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation, while also assuming the chairmanship of Taiwan Sugar Corporation. In June 2004, President Chen Shui-bian appointed him as the first leader of the Financial Supervisory Commission.

At the time Kong assumed this role, Taiwan's financial sector comprised roughly 50 banks alongside more than 300 credit cooperatives. His strategic focus was on merging or shutting down underperforming financial entities, despite facing opposition from banking institutions, the Legislative Yuan, and labor organizations. During his tenure, he facilitated the relaxation of regulations that allowed Chinese banks to establish branches within Taiwan for the first time. Additionally, he advocated for eliminating the daily seven-percent cap on stock price movements.

On 12 May 2006, Kong faced suspension as corruption allegations related to his period at Taiwan Sugar were investigated. He was promptly released on bail amounting to NT$500,000 following interrogation and made an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim his position through appeal. In August, formal charges were filed against him concerning breaches of government procurement policies. Kong consistently denied any misconduct and resisted pressure to step down, even after a subordinate resigned amid a separate controversy. Ultimately, the Taipei District Court cleared him of all corruption accusations, a decision that was later confirmed by the Taiwan High Court in March 2009.

Kong passed away due to a heart attack at age 60 in 2016.