Japan's SBI Holdings, Fukushima Bank to form capital tie-up -NHK (updated)
10/11/2019 23:49
(Adds SBI Holdings comment)
TOKYO, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Japanese internet banking giant
SBI Holdings Inc 8473.T and Fukushima Bank Ltd 8562.T will
form a capital and strategic tie-up through an investment of up
to 20% by SBI in the regional lender, public broadcaster NHK
reported on Monday.
The future of Japan's regional lenders is a focus for
investors after years of negative interest rates and a declining
population have sapped profits and raised questions about their
ability to survive.
An SBI Holdings spokesman told Reuters the two companies had
been in talks and that an announcement on the discussions would
be made after a formal decision is reached at a Fukushima Bank
board meeting on Monday.
SBI announced in September it would invest in Shimane Bank
Ltd 7150.T , a regional bank in western Japan.
(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; editing by Richard Pullin)
((ran.kim@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-4563-2740))