Tomato Bank

Basic Information

Stock Code
8542
Industry
Banking
Category Detail
Banks
Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
Establishment Year
November 1931
Listing Year
July 1971
Official Website
https://www.tomatobank.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
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Overview

Tomato Bank is a second-tier regional bank founded in 1931 and based in Okayama Prefecture, providing community-oriented financial services and building trust with local businesses and residents.

Current Situation

Tomato Bank operates 61 branches centered in Okayama Prefecture, securing consolidated net profit exceeding 1.8 billion yen and maintaining a stable management base. Its core businesses are deposits and lending, with strengthened community-based financial support for local SMEs and individual customers. As part of digitalization efforts, it has introduced the next-generation core banking system NextBase to improve efficiency. In addition to convenience store ATMs and partnerships with Japan Post Bank, it promotes convenience through the Okayama ATM Network service in collaboration with local financial institutions. Moving forward, to contribute to regional economic revitalization, it actively engages in community initiatives such as sponsoring Fagiano Okayama FC. For sustainable growth, it leverages differentiated retail strategies and regional financial networks, while focusing on expanding digital services. Aiming for mid- to long-term growth, it seeks to develop new financial services and expand its customer base while maintaining a community-focused approach.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The name Tomato Bank was adopted in 1989 when it converted to an ordinary bank
  • Official sponsor of local soccer club Fagiano Okayama
  • Popular mascot character Tokkun
  • Holds third-largest main bank share in the prefecture
  • Only second-tier regional bank in Okayama Prefecture
  • Nationally unique bank name, even nominated for buzzword award
  • Established uniqueness through conversion from Sanyo Mutual Bank
  • Pioneer in community-focused services
  • Some branches outside Okayama Prefecture to maintain presence
  • Features broad fee-free ATM usage through partnerships
  • Track record of inheriting operations from Okayama credit unions
  • Operates Tomato Lease Co., Ltd. as equity-method affiliate
  • Over 90 years of history from Kurashiki Mutual's founding
  • Strong trust relationships with local companies
  • Key hub for SME finance in the Sanyo region

Hidden Connections

  • Completely unrelated to Tomato Banks in the US or Korea with the same name
  • Account opening promotions with Kagome contributed to brand image enhancement
  • Shares ATM networks with local credit unions and regional banks, balancing competition and cooperation
  • Fagiano Okayama FC sponsor passbooks are popular among local residents
  • NEXTBASE core system introduction is an advanced move among regional banks
  • Actively involved in regional revitalization and tourism promotion projects
  • Promotes community-focused management through employee stock ownership association
  • Follows major local bank Chugoku Bank in main bank count

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Deepening community-focused management and customer base expansion
  • Strengthening digital banking and mobile services
  • Diversification of financial services for local SMEs
  • Expansion of partnership networks among regional financial institutions
  • Development of financial products considering environmental and social responsibility
  • Brand enhancement through collaborations with Fagiano Okayama and other regional events
  • Customer satisfaction improvement via ATM convenience upgrades
  • Rapid response to financial technology innovations
  • Business expansion capturing effects from regional economic recovery
  • Efficient branch placement and advanced customer touchpoints
  • Talent acquisition enhancement through work-style reforms
  • Support for building sustainable regional communities

Strategic Goals

  • Establish position as local No.2 through regional share expansion
  • Achieve 70%+ digital service coverage for all customers
  • Develop 30 new financial products addressing environmental and social challenges
  • Expand ATM and network partnerships with major national banks
  • Strengthen economic and cultural investments in regional communities
  • Expand SME support programs with performance measurement
  • Create workplace environment with 90%+ employee engagement
  • Achieve ongoing profit growth through sustainable management base
  • Establish leadership in regional financial DX
  • Continue strengthening regional collaborations with Fagiano Okayama

Business Segments

SME Finance

Overview
Provides financing and various financial services to support local SMEs, aiming to revitalize the regional economy.
Competitiveness
Deep understanding of customer needs and flexible responses through community focus
Customers
  • Local SMEs
  • Manufacturing
  • Wholesale
  • Services
  • Agriculture-related companies
  • Construction companies
  • Retail
  • Food and beverage
  • IT-related companies
  • Medical corporations
Products
  • Business financing
  • Working capital loans
  • Equipment investment loans
  • Bill discounting
  • Credit guarantees
  • Factoring
  • Lease financing
  • Consulting services
  • Loan repayment plan reviews
  • Cash flow support

Personal Finance and Asset Management

Overview
Focuses on providing life-integrated financial services and asset-building products to diverse customer segments.
Competitiveness
Proposal capabilities tailored to regional characteristics and attentive counter services
Customers
  • Individual customers
  • Seniors
  • Younger generation
  • Housewives
  • Students
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Local residents
  • Retirees
  • Salarymen
  • Freelancers
Products
  • Housing loans
  • Auto loans
  • Card loans
  • Investment trusts
  • Insurance products
  • Accumulation deposits
  • Pension-related products
  • Asset management consultations
  • Savings-type insurance
  • Education fund loans

Payments and Transaction Support

Overview
Provides services to meet diverse payment needs for corporations and sole proprietors.
Competitiveness
Rapid and secure payment support through regional financial institution networks
Customers
  • Corporate customers
  • Sole proprietors
  • Shops
  • Restaurants
  • Retail stores
  • Online shops
  • Public entities
  • Educational institutions
  • Medical institutions
  • NPOs
Products
  • Tomato Cash Card
  • Internet banking
  • Mobile payment services
  • Electronic money top-up
  • Payroll transfer services
  • Direct debit services
  • Credit card merchant acquisition
  • ATM partnership services
  • Fund settlement services
  • Forex transactions

Real Estate-related Finance

Overview
Deploys specialized services for housing and real estate-related financial needs.
Competitiveness
Lending decisions and follow-up systems well-versed in local markets
Customers
  • Home buyers
  • Real estate agents
  • Construction companies
  • Rental property owners
  • Individual investors
  • Commercial facility operators
  • Carpentry shops
  • Renovation contractors
  • Land owners
  • Housing loan users
Products
  • Housing loans
  • Real estate collateral loans
  • Renovation loans
  • Land purchase funding
  • Real estate appraisal services
  • Asset building consultations
  • Refinancing loans
  • Investment property loans
  • Rental guarantee services
  • Fire insurance-linked products

Leasing and Finance

Overview
Provides lease products and finance support to assist corporate equipment investments.
Competitiveness
Flexible lease contracts leveraging the parent bank's creditworthiness
Customers
  • Manufacturers
  • SMEs
  • IT companies
  • Transportation companies
  • Medical institutions
  • Service industries
  • Construction companies
  • Agriculture-related
  • Retail
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • Tomato Lease Service
  • Equipment leasing
  • IT equipment leasing
  • Medical equipment leasing
  • Transportation equipment leasing
  • Finance leases
  • Operating leases
  • Post-lease purchase guidance
  • Lease contract management
  • Insurance-linked lease products

Card Business

Overview
Aims to improve convenience and create new revenue models through card-related services.
Competitiveness
Card rollout leveraging the parent company's regional financial base and credit
Customers
  • Individual customers
  • SMEs
  • Corporate customers
  • Students
  • Housewives
  • Salarymen
  • Seniors
  • Client companies
  • Merchants
  • Local residents
Products
  • Credit card issuance
  • Debit cards
  • Prepaid cards
  • Corporate cards
  • Points programs
  • Card usage promotion campaigns
  • Merchant development
  • Security services
  • Card loan integration
  • Card payment systems

Regional Revitalization and Tourism Support

Overview
Deploys financial support and collaborative services to promote regional economy and tourism.
Competitiveness
Networks and financial expertise rooted in the region
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Tourism-related businesses
  • Chambers of commerce
  • Local shopping streets
  • SMEs
  • Event organizers
  • Cultural groups
  • Tourists
  • Food and beverage
  • Accommodations
Products
  • Regional revitalization loans
  • Tourism promotion funds
  • Event financing
  • Tourism industry support
  • Market expansion support services
  • Regional brand support
  • Crowdfunding
  • Regional economic revitalization consulting
  • Store opening funding
  • PR support

Digital and IT Adoption Support

Overview
Promotes various support services for customer IT utilization and business efficiency.
Competitiveness
Rapid responses specialized for the region with IT vendor partnerships
Customers
  • SMEs
  • Service industries
  • Retail
  • Food and beverage
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical institutions
  • Educational institutions
  • Corporate customers
  • Local governments
  • Financial institutions
Products
  • IT adoption subsidy utilization support
  • Digital payment services
  • Cloud service introductions
  • POS system adoption support
  • Web marketing support
  • Business efficiency consulting
  • Electronic bookkeeping compliance support
  • Cybersecurity consultations
  • Digital transformation support
  • App development partnerships

Education and Training Services

Overview
Deploys education and training services aimed at enhancing regional economy and customer capabilities.
Competitiveness
Participatory training programs leveraging community focus
Customers
  • Corporate customers
  • Employees
  • SMEs
  • Local schools
  • Local governments
  • Financial professionals
  • Younger generation
  • Housewives
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Local residents
Products
  • Financial literacy training
  • Business manners courses
  • Startup support seminars
  • Asset management courses
  • New employee training
  • Management training
  • Network building support
  • Regional lectures
  • Cashless education
  • SDGs-related training

Risk Management and Guarantee Services

Overview
Emphasizes risk reduction for customers by providing guarantee services and risk management support.
Competitiveness
Creditworthiness and meticulous management based on years of track record
Customers
  • SMEs
  • Sole proprietors
  • Real estate businesses
  • Financial institutions
  • Local governments
  • Agriculture-related companies
  • Medical corporations
  • Educational institutions
  • Manufacturing
  • Services
Products
  • Credit guarantee association partnerships
  • Guarantee-backed loan products
  • Risk analysis reports
  • Business improvement plan support
  • Receivables management services
  • Insurance-linked guarantee products
  • Debt guarantees
  • Receivables collection support
  • Credit risk assessments
  • Business regeneration support

Financial Advisory

Overview
Deploys multifaceted advisory services to support customer asset building.
Competitiveness
Dedicated support system unique to regional financial institutions
Customers
  • Individual customers
  • SMEs
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Retirees
  • Housewives
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Corporate customers
  • Public servants
  • Educational institutions
  • Medical professionals
Products
  • Asset management consultations
  • Inheritance planning advice
  • Life plan design
  • Retirement benefit management
  • Insurance review proposals
  • Tax incentive utilization support
  • Pension consultations
  • Investment trust selection support
  • Real estate investment advice
  • Financial product proposals

Cashless and Points Services

Overview
Provides various points and payment services adapted to a cashless society.
Competitiveness
Promotional capabilities linked with locally focused customer base
Customers
  • Individual customers
  • SMEs
  • Merchants
  • Housewives
  • Younger generation
  • Seniors
  • Corporate customers
  • Store owners
  • Retail
  • Services
Products
  • Electronic money issuance
  • Points programs
  • Mobile payments
  • Merchant payment terminals
  • Coupon distribution services
  • Merchant support
  • Campaign planning
  • Top-up services
  • Real-time payment analysis
  • Promotion partnerships

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Deep customer relationships through community focus
  • Extensive local network
  • Numerous touchpoints from multi-branch expansion
  • Solid financial base
  • Convenience of partner ATM networks
  • Abundant financial expertise for SMEs
  • Local brand recognition
  • Active digitalization initiatives
  • Social trust from regional contributions
  • Diverse financial product offerings
  • Flexible loan product design
  • High customer service levels
  • Stability as a regional bank
  • Long track record in the region
  • Customer base diversity

Competitive Advantages

  • Third-largest main bank share in Okayama Prefecture
  • Fee discounts through partnerships among regional financial institutions
  • Customer engagement strategies rooted in regional culture
  • Integrated online and in-person services
  • Differentiation from major banks via community-focused services
  • Regional contributions through Fagiano Okayama support
  • Strong collaborations with local financial institutions
  • Efficiency gains from advanced core banking system
  • Improved ATM usability through multiple partnerships
  • Specialized financing for local SMEs
  • Diverse asset management consultation services
  • Comprehensive financial products supporting local residents' lives
  • Strong regional understanding and responsiveness from local staff
  • Enhanced collaboration with credit guarantee operations
  • Customer affinity boosted by active mascot promotions

Threats

  • Increasing local expansion by major city banks
  • Local market shrinkage due to population decline
  • Prolonged low-interest-rate environment
  • Risks from stagnant regional economy
  • Customer loss from intensifying digital competition
  • Increased business costs from stricter regulations
  • Rise of emerging fintech companies
  • Growing credit risks
  • Economic impacts from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
  • Decline in ATM fee income
  • Challenges in talent acquisition
  • Regional risks from disasters

Innovations

2021: Participation in instant account settlement service

Overview
Joined Lawson Bank's instant account settlement service, enabling top-ups to au PAY.
Impact
Improved customer convenience and expanded digital payment usage.

2020: Introduction of next-generation core banking system NEXTBASE

Overview
Introduced advanced core banking system to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
Impact
Contributes to enhanced system stability and faster processing speeds.

2023: Digital banking enhancement

Overview
Advanced expansion of internet banking and mobile app features.
Impact
Promotes increased usage among younger customers and more account openings.

2022: ATM partnership expansion

Overview
Expanded mutual ATM usage partnerships with Aeon Bank, Seven Bank, and others.
Impact
Improved customer usability and contributed to increased off-branch transactions.

2024: Creation of regional economic support program

Overview
Launched new financing and consulting programs for SME support.
Impact
Contributes to SME cash flow support and business improvements.

Sustainability

  • CSR promotion through strengthened community partnerships
  • Paper resource reduction via digitalization
  • Expansion of environmentally considerate financing products
  • Ongoing regional contribution activities
  • Diversity promotion through work-style reforms for employees
  • Support for sustainable regional economic development
  • Support for regional events and cultural activities
  • In-house energy-saving initiatives
  • Information sharing through regional financial networks
  • Investment and lending decisions considering environmental and social issues
  • Customer environmental awareness activities
  • Social inclusion through disability employment promotion