Japan anti-trust watchdog to approve Daishi, Hokuetsu banks' merger -Nikkei
15/12/2017 03:50
TOKYO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Fair Trade Commission has
decided to approve the merger of Daishi Bank Ltd 8324.T and
Hokuetsu Bank Ltd 8325.T after a prolonged review by the
anti-trust watchdog, the Nikkei business daily reported on its
website, without citing sources.
The two banks, both based in Niigata prefecture on the Sea
of Japan coast, in October postponed their original merger plans
by six months to October 2018 due to the delay.
A shrinking population and the central bank's negative
interest-rate policy have created a tough business environment
for Japan's roughly 100 so-called regional banks, prompting some
to merge or take other steps to shore up their
operations. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N1HD0VX
(Reporting by Junko Fujita; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)
((813-6441-1840, junko.fujita@thomsonreuters.com, Reuters
Messaging:junko.fujita.reuters.com@reuters.net;))
Keywords: JAPAN BANKS/DAISHI BANK HOKUETSU BANK