Japan’s SBI Expands Regional Lending
Japans’ SBI Holdings continues to bet on local lenders operating outside of major cities with its latest partnership with a Fukushima-based player.
SBI will form a capital and strategic tie-up with Fukushima Bank, according to Japanese television broadcaster «NHK». The partnership could include an investment of up to 20 percent by SBI.
The deal has yet to be finalized with the two still in discussions but a formal decision is expected to be made at Fukushima Bank’s board meeting on Monday.
The partnership marks the second recent move by SBI to expand its reach in local lending. In September, it announced that it would invest in Shimane Bank, which operates mainly in the western Shimane prefecture.
