English TOP  The Second Association of Regional Banks.

Originally, member banks were established as joint stock companies under the Sogo Bank Law of 1951 and were referred to as "Sogo Banks". Over the years, however, the types of business conducted by Sogo banks and ordinary commercial banks have become similar, and because of this development, the Sogo banks began in quick succession to convert to regional banks which were classified as ordinary commercial banks from 1989 onward.

 Although the new regional banks carry out exactly the same operations as the original regional banks, their origins differ considerably. As a result, new regional banks have set up their own Second Association of Regional Banks independently of the Regional Banks Association of Japan.

(a) Providing high-quality financial services which put customers first

 As member banks, we consider it of the greatest importance to provide high-quality financial services which put customers first in order to successfully resolve customer issues.

 With our individual customers showing trends toward longer life expectancies, their life plans are also changing significantly. We will therefore act as close-at-hand sources for consultation on financial services, putting ourselves in our customers’ positions and carrying out detailed measures to respond to these changes.

 For our corporate customers, it will be crucial to provide support from a financial perspective with the goal of creating, sustaining, and developing businesses, and to offer future-oriented solutions to our customers such as assistance with their main businesses and business succession. We will strive to strengthen the relationships we have built with our customers even further and assist in identifying their true issues so we may be of help in resolving them.

 Additionally, the advancement of IT technology is causing widespread shifts in customer lifestyles, as it plays extensive roles in improving customer convenience as well as business productivity. We will need to accurately identify transitions in customer needs, and respond in a flexible and timely manner while applying the latest financial technology.

(b) Making contributions to energize local areas

 Making valuable contributions to energize local areas is an essential mission which we have as local financial institutions.

We believe that first of all, improving customer satisfaction and promoting business sustainability and growth by providing high-quality financial services is the most meaningful contribution we can make to improve foundations and invigorate local regions. In addition, while utilizing external support systems and various types of funds based on close coordination between all related parties, we will develop initiatives directed toward the idea of “regional revitalization” such as closely investigating the unique resources of each area, giving aid to businesses which effectively apply their specific regional characteristics in fields such as tourism and agriculture, and contributing to the creation of local employment.

(c) Enhancing our management foundations

 In order for us to continue to meet the expectations of our customers from here on, it will be imperative for us to enhance our management foundations. We are currently reinforcing our measures for corporate governance while also maintaining sound management and strengthening our financial base. Accordingly, we are taking action toward developing human resources, improving business efficiency, and managing various types of risks.

 Above all else, we believe that the most effective measures we can implement toward strengthening our management foundations are providing high-quality financial services which place customers first, and making contributions to energize local areas. We strongly feel that the ideal business model for local financial institutions to aim for is one in which customers, communities, and banks can continue growing and developing together.

Number of Member Banks : 37 (As of May 2021)

Deposits : 65,878 billion yen (As of February 2021)

Loans : 51,076 billion yen (As of February 2021)

The Second Association of Regional Banks is an incorporated body which aims to further public interests by promoting the sound development of its member banks. Details of the activities it conducts are as follows:

• Research to improve the business operations of member banks.
• Research relating to finance and the economy.
• Representing the opinions of member banks to government authorities and other financial institutions and providing liaison between member banks and such bodies.
• Management of facilities in order to develop mutual contact and a sense of fraternity between its member banks.
• Activities relating to training, seminars and welfare for the employees of member banks.
• Support activities relating to business affiliations of member banks, and collaborative activities by member banks to maintain credit in an orderly manner.