Far Eastern International Bank

Far Eastern International Bank, also referred to as FEIB, is a financial institution headquartered in Taiwan. As a bank, it engages in the provision of banking services to its clientele. The inclusion of “International” in its name points to a focus on cross‑border financial activities. The institution operates within Taiwan’s banking sector and provides services that are typical of commercial banks. Its core activities include deposit taking, lending, and related financial transactions.

In October 2017, FEIB became the target of a cyber heist attributed to the North Korean Lazarus hacking group. The attackers attempted to exploit the SWIFT messaging system to transfer funds out of the bank. They sought to steal approximately sixty million United States dollars. Although the intrusion was detected, roughly five hundred thousand dollars remained unrecovered, while the majority of the attempted funds were recovered. The incident highlighted the persistent threat posed by sophisticated state‑linked actors to global banking networks. Security measures implemented after earlier SWIFT‑based attacks, such as the Bangladesh Central Bank heist, reportedly hindered the attackers’ ability to fully succeed in this case.

The 2017 attack distinguishes FEIB as a notable example of a Taiwanese bank that has faced advanced cyber threats from well‑resourced adversaries. This experience underscores the importance of robust cyber‑defence capabilities for financial institutions operating in the region. FEIB’s exposure to such threats reflects its integration into international payment systems like SWIFT, which are attractive targets for financially motivated cyber campaigns. The bank’s response to the incident, including post‑event security enhancements, illustrates a reactive approach to evolving cyber risks. As part of Taiwan’s financial sector, FEIB contributes to the country’s role as a hub for banking and financial services in East Asia. Its ongoing efforts to strengthen security posture are indicative of the broader industry trend toward heightened resilience against cyber‑enabled financial crime.