Ehime Bank

Basic Information

Stock Code
8541
Industry
Banking
Category Detail
Banks
Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
Establishment Year
March 1943
Listing Year
April 1971
Official Website
https://www.himegin.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Iyogin HD, Shizuoka Financial Group, Kyoto Financial Group, Mebuki Financial Group, Concordia Financial Group, Hirogin Holdings, Chiba Bank, Gunma Bank, Fukuoka Financial Group, Hachijuni Bank, Shikoku Bank, Oita Bank

Overview

Ehime Bank is a second-tier regional bank founded in 1943, operating primarily in Ehime Prefecture and across the entire Shikoku region as well as neighboring areas, providing diverse financial services and supporting local industries as a community-based financial institution.

Current Situation

Ehime Bank achieved net profit exceeding 5 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2024, with consolidated total assets of approximately 2.888 trillion yen, maintaining a solid financial foundation. Outstanding loans amount to about 1.9424 trillion yen, with strengths in supporting local industries centered on shipping and shipbuilding, contributing to regional economic development. The bank is actively promoting digitalization, launching its proprietary open system platform 'New AP Platform' and pursuing a 'Financial Plus 1' strategy through collaborations with various external organizations. It is committed to SDGs initiatives and TCFD endorsement, with thorough environmental and social measures, emphasizing regional revitalization and human capital management in its business plan. The branch network spans all prefectures in Shikoku, as well as Hiroshima, Okayama, Oita, Osaka, and Tokyo prefectures, with 110 locations ensuring convenience. Moving forward, it plans to maintain independence as a regional financial institution and develop distinctive services.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founded in 1915 as Toyoyu Mujin Chiki Kabushiki Kaisha.
  • Established pioneering agricultural funds among Japan's regional banks.
  • Actively supported reconstruction during the West Japan Heavy Rain disaster.
  • Contributes to community through table tennis club participating in national competitions.
  • Extensive branch network across Shikoku's 4 prefectures and neighboring prefectures.
  • Continues independent management as a community-based second-tier regional bank.
  • Collaborates with SBI Group and Japan Finance Corporation under Financial Plus 1 strategy.
  • Active in environmentally considerate initiatives like ZEB branch construction.
  • Has partnership agreements with all municipalities in the prefecture for regional revitalization.
  • Actively hires Nepalese foreign talent under human resource diversification.
  • Introduced AI-based money laundering prevention system.
  • Adopts regional characters for proprietary cash card designs.
  • Opened internet branch 'Shikoku 88 Places Branch'.
  • Strengthens maritime industry support through business alliances and fund establishments.
  • Multiple awards for excellent consumer-oriented management from the Consumer Affairs Agency.

Hidden Connections

  • Maintains business alliance without capital ties with Yamaguchi Financial Group.
  • Hires highly skilled Nepalese talent through group companies to strengthen human resources.
  • Concluded regional revitalization partnership agreements with all municipalities in Ehime Prefecture to enhance community ties.
  • Contributes to revitalization of local agriculture, forestry, and fisheries through multiple agricultural funds.
  • Receives subsidies from the Ministry of the Environment for energy-saving measures like ZEB branches.
  • Introduces AI technology for money laundering prevention to achieve advanced compliance.
  • Collaborates with local media and regional trading companies to promote Ehime Prefecture's logistics and product sales.
  • Received special commendation for excellent consumer-oriented management practices in collaboration with the Consumer Affairs Agency.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Strengthening customer base through deep community-based sales.
  • Revenue diversification utilizing external collaborations under Financial Plus 1 strategy.
  • Operational efficiency and new service creation through DX promotion.
  • Ongoing partnerships with pillar industries like shipping and shipbuilding.
  • Expansion of financial products incorporating environmental and social issue responses.
  • Local economic activation through regional revitalization programs.
  • Improved customer convenience via increased digital channel usage.
  • Organizational strengthening through human resource diversification and employee development.
  • Expansion of sustainable finance market.
  • Promotion of co-creation through strengthened ties with local governments.
  • Regional economic uplift through enhanced SME support.
  • Development of products and services addressing aging society.

Strategic Goals

  • Significant increase in customer assets and credit balances by FY2033.
  • Deepen partnership agreements with all regional municipalities to build co-creation model.
  • Maintain over 50% reduction in GHG emissions (vs. FY2013 baseline).
  • Diversify new financial products and services utilizing DX infrastructure.
  • Expand Financial Plus 1 strategy and strengthen collaborations with external organizations.
  • Achieve Center of Excellence in supporting regional shipping and shipbuilding industries.
  • Continue promoting human resource diversity and creating engaging work environments.
  • Expand new industry support funds to contribute to regional economic activation.
  • Further promote ZEB branch deployment to reduce environmental impact.
  • Achieve over 50% ratio of sustainable asset management products.

Business Segments

SME Financing

Overview
Supports management of local SMEs through diverse financing and financial services.
Competitiveness
Deep creditworthiness and track record specialized in local industries
Customers
  • Small and medium-sized manufacturing
  • Transportation and shipping
  • Shipbuilding
  • Wholesale
  • Retail
  • Services
  • Construction
  • Agricultural corporations
  • Fishery cooperatives
Products
  • Equipment Investment Loans
  • Working Capital Financing
  • Guaranteed Financing
  • Bill Discounting
  • Business Restructuring Support Services
  • Management Consulting
  • Loans Guaranteed by Credit Guarantee Corporations

Shipping and Shipbuilding Finance

Overview
Provides funding support for ship-related needs specialized in local pillar industries.
Competitiveness
Specialized financing knowledge and long-term local track record
Customers
  • Shipbuilders
  • Shipping companies
  • Related parts manufacturers
  • Logistics companies
  • Ship owners
Products
  • Equipment Financing
  • Working Capital Financing
  • Ship Finance
  • Leasing Services
  • Credit Guarantees

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Support Fund

Overview
Operates funds and provides financing to revitalize agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
Competitiveness
Pioneering experience and know-how in agricultural funds
Customers
  • Agricultural corporations
  • Forestry cooperatives
  • Fisheries cooperatives
  • 6th industrialization companies
Products
  • Investment Limited Partnerships
  • Operational Management Services
  • Funding Support
  • Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Consulting

Corporate Insurance and Risk Management

Overview
Insurance services aimed at reducing corporate risks and improving welfare benefits.
Competitiveness
Community-based customer response capabilities
Customers
  • Business corporations
  • Public entities
  • Medical corporations
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • Corporate Life Insurance
  • Damage Insurance
  • Business Continuity Planning Consulting
  • Welfare Benefit System Development Support

IT and System Solutions

Overview
Provides comprehensive IT services through group subsidiaries.
Competitiveness
Advanced IT technology leveraging banking operation knowledge
Customers
  • Financial institutions
  • General companies
  • Public entities
Products
  • System Development
  • Operations and Maintenance
  • Cloud Factoring
  • Digital Transformation Support

Receivables Management and Collection Services

Overview
Deploys efficient receivables management and risk reduction support services.
Competitiveness
Local credit information network
Customers
  • Financial institutions
  • Corporate customers
Products
  • Receivables Collection Operations
  • Credit Risk Management Consulting

Asset Management and Securities Intermediation

Overview
Provides diverse asset management products and advisory services.
Competitiveness
Strong ties with financial institutions
Customers
  • Individual investors
  • Corporates
Products
  • Investment Trust Sales
  • Securities Intermediation
  • Wrap Accounts

Leasing and Finance Operations

Overview
Offers flexible leasing services supporting equipment introduction.
Competitiveness
Close response to local corporate needs
Customers
  • Corporate customers
  • Public entities
Products
  • Equipment Leasing
  • Investment Leasing
  • Finance Products

Regional Revitalization Support Program

Overview
Implements multifaceted support to enhance regional vitality.
Competitiveness
Partnership agreements with all municipalities in the prefecture
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Regional organizations
  • Local companies
Products
  • Regional Revitalization Agreements
  • Regional Activation Funds
  • Regional Industry Support Programs

Internet and Mobile Banking

Overview
Deploys convenient and secure online financial services.
Competitiveness
Deployment of proprietary app and net branches
Customers
  • Individuals
  • Corporates
Products
  • Internet Banking
  • Mobile App
  • Online Loan Applications

Human Resources Services

Overview
Human resource services supporting activation of the local labor market.
Competitiveness
Close network with local companies
Customers
  • Companies
  • Job seekers
Products
  • Paid Employment Placement Services
  • Human Resource Development Support

CSR and Environmental Investments

Overview
Promotes investments and financing toward realizing a sustainable society.
Competitiveness
TCFD endorsement and collaboration with local environmental initiatives
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Companies
Products
  • Renewable Energy Investments
  • Decarbonization Project Financing
  • Environmental Conservation Funds

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strong sales base rooted in the region
  • Extensive lending experience in shipping and shipbuilding
  • Promotion of diverse Financial Plus 1 strategies
  • Extensive branch network integrated with digital channels
  • Robust collaboration system with regional municipalities
  • Comprehensive human capital management and employee support
  • Active engagement with environmental and social issues
  • Stable capital base and financial strength

Competitive Advantages

  • Financial support based on specialized knowledge in shipping and shipbuilding
  • High reliability in community-based finance
  • Financial Plus 1 strategy collaborating with multiple external organizations
  • Comprehensive service network supporting regional revitalization
  • Operational efficiency through proprietary digital platform
  • Enhanced customer response via human capital strengthening
  • Improved convenience through extensive ATM partnerships
  • Industry support via multifaceted investment limited partnerships

Threats

  • Shrinkage of customer base due to population decline in local economy
  • Intensifying competition from regional bank consolidations and major banks
  • Profit pressure from low interest rates and financial policy changes
  • Risks from business cycle fluctuations in regional industries
  • Customer loss from delays in digitalization response
  • Impacts from natural disasters and climate change
  • Increased administrative burden from regulatory strengthening
  • Expanding cyber security risks

Innovations

2024: Launch of New AP Platform

Overview
Deepens digital operations with proprietary open system platform.
Impact
Improves operational efficiency and customer service quality

2023: Reconstruction of Saijo Branch with ZEB Certification

Overview
New energy-efficient branch reducing environmental impact.
Impact
Nationwide promotion of energy-saving model as region's first ZEB branch

2022: Launch of Himegin Cloud Factoring

Overview
Introduction of online funding support service.
Impact
Supports improvement in SMEs' cash flow

2021: Establishment of Nishi-Seto Marine Partners

Overview
Joint venture specializing in ship financing to strengthen maritime finance support.
Impact
Contributes to enhanced expertise and new business expansion

2020: Initiation of Financial Plus 1 Strategy

Overview
Comprehensive financial services expansion through strengthened external collaborations.
Impact
Achieves improved customer satisfaction and revenue diversification

2020: Implementation of Human Resource Diversification Initiatives

Overview
Active promotion of highly skilled foreign talent hiring and returnee recruitment.
Impact
Strengthens organizational capabilities and enriches talent base

Sustainability

  • Endorsement of TCFD
  • 50% reduction in GHG emissions (achieved FY2023 vs. FY2013 baseline)
  • Participation in interest subsidy program for regional decarbonization financing
  • Deployment of 100% renewable energy usage branches
  • Promotion of environmental investments and sustainable finance
  • Awarded for excellent consumer-oriented management practices
  • Certified as Health Management Excellence Corporation (4 consecutive years since 2021)
  • Conclusion of regional revitalization partnership agreements with local municipalities