- Business
- The Awa Bank, Ltd. (8388.T) operates as a regional bank providing commercial banking, leasing, and related financial services primarily to individual and corporate customers, including small and medium-sized enterprises, in Japan, with a focus on the Shikoku region. The company offers deposit products such as general accounts, savings deposits, time deposits, foreign currency deposits, and certificates of deposit; investment trusts and securities investment services; a range of lending options including housing, remodeling, car, card, education, solar, industrial, and business support loans; insurance products encompassing life, fire, education, and business coverage; safe deposit boxes; foreign exchange services; internet banking; pension services; convenience services; and management and business support consulting. Through its leasing segment, operated via subsidiary Awagin Leasing Co., Ltd., it provides leasing solutions; supplementary services include credit card issuance, credit guarantees, and referrals to public bonds and Nomura Securities products. Founded in 1896 as Tokushima Commercial Bank, Ltd. and renamed The Awa Bank, Ltd. in 1964, the company is headquartered at 2-24-1 Nishisenba-cho, Tokushima City, Japan, and employs approximately 1,332 staff across its branch network. Recent developments include ongoing equity buyback programs, such as the closure in March 2025 of a repurchase of 168,900 shares for ¥499.77 million and another in late 2024 of 176,300 shares for ¥499.81 million, aimed at capital management and shareholder returns; continued investment limited partnerships like the Awagin Business Succession Investment Limited Partnership and Awagin Future Creation Investment Limited Partnership for 2024 to support regional revitalization; a comprehensive business alliance with Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. finalized in 2020, integrating financial intermediary services, asset consulting, and expanded offerings in NISA, iDeCo, bonds, and investment trusts to grow assets under management toward ¥1 trillion; and participation in syndicated financing, including a 2024 JBIC-led loan for Ajinomoto Co., Inc.'s acquisition of U.S.-based Forge Biologics.