Three regional banks in the Tohoku region have begun talks aimed at integration. A dinner in Tokyo served as the catalyst, and it was revealed that they plan to establish a holding company headquartered in Morioka and target a business integration in April 2028.
Iwate Bank, Akita Bank and Aomori Michinoku Bank disclosed, in comments by the president of Aomori Michinoku Bank, that they had begun talks aimed at integration. At a dinner held in Tokyo, they indicated that they were positively considering the future outlook in response to a question about whether “joining forces might also be an option.”
The 3 banks announced plans to establish a holding company headquartered in Morioka and said they are targeting an integration in April 2028. If realized, their combined deposits are expected to total approximately ¥12 trillion, making them the largest regional banking group in the Tohoku region.
The 3 banks have maintained close relationships, including Iwate Bank and Akita Bank entering into a comprehensive business alliance. Aomori Michinoku Bank was established through the merger of Aomori Bank in 2025. The view was expressed that the integration negotiations should aim to resolve regional issues by strengthening capital and earnings power.
Although the president acknowledged that adjusting the terms before the merger would be difficult, he emphasized his intention to reach an agreement among the 3 banks and move forward.