めぶき Financial Group (FG) has reached the 10th anniversary of the management integration of Ashikaga Bank and Joyo Bank. The group has reaffirmed its role in supporting the region's industries and communities while enhancing support for business partners and pursuing cost reductions. Going forward, generating further synergies in sales and strengthening customer-oriented proposals will be key challenges.
Ten years have passed since めぶき FG was established following the integration of Ashikaga Bank and Joyo Bank. During this period, it has strengthened its commitment to promoting growth across the region as a leading bank supporting regional development. Initiatives to enhance synergies have included launching new leasing and securities businesses, combining the strengths of the two banks, reducing costs through the integration of core systems, and sharing risk-management expertise.
Generating further synergies in sales is one of the challenges for the next 10 years. The group has indicated a policy of strengthening the provision of solutions that promote corporate growth through enhanced support for business partners, with an emphasis on understanding customers' challenges and their overall circumstances. Even as demand for funding rises, the group is expected to focus on customer-oriented proposals and the stability of the regional economy rather than simply securing funds.
Management has emphasized its locally focused structure, and Shimizu Kazuyuki (清水 和幸), president of one of the two banks and vice president of the FG, has indicated a policy of further strengthening cooperation between the banks in supporting business partners. The group is expected to strengthen the provision of solutions that help resolve customers' problems amid competition for deposits, by leveraging its regional branch network, personnel and agility.