Question 1

What is Awa Bank?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank is a regional bank headquartered in Tokushima, Japan. As the designated financial institution for Tokushima Prefecture and many municipalities within the prefecture, it serves as a key banking provider for the Shikoku region. The bank operates primarily in Tokushima Prefecture while maintaining a strategic presence in the Kansai, Kanto, and Chugoku-Shikoku regions with a network of 79 branches.

Founded to support the indigo trade that made Tokushima prosperous, Awa Bank has evolved into a comprehensive regional financial institution serving individual customers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate clients.

Question 2

When was Awa Bank founded?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank was founded on June 27, 1896, as The Awa Commercial Bank, Ltd. in Tokushima City. The bank's origins trace back even further to 1879 when wealthy indigo merchant Hyojiro Kujime established the Kujime Bank as the fifth private bank in Japan. In 1892, the Awa Bank Gomei Kaisha was founded to succeed the Kansai operations of Kujime Bank.

In 1964, the bank changed its name from The Tokushima Commercial Bank to The Awa Bank, Ltd., the name it carries today. Throughout its history, the bank has been deeply intertwined with the prosperity of the Tokushima region and its famous Awa Indigo dye industry.

Question 3

Where is Awa Bank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank is headquartered in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. The bank relocated its Sales Division of the Head Office to a new building in 2019 as part of its modernization efforts. Tokushima Prefecture, located on Shikoku Island, serves as the bank's primary operational base and home market.

Question 4

Where does Awa Bank operate?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank operates 58 branches throughout Tokushima Prefecture, establishing a dominant presence in its home market. Beyond Tokushima, the bank maintains 21 branches across the Kansai, Kanto, and Chugoku-Shikoku regions. This includes strategic locations such as the Osaka Branch (opened in the founding year of 1896), the Tokyo Branch (opened in 1965), and branches in Yokohama, Kobe, Takamatsu, and other major cities.

In October 2023, the bank opened the Imabari Corporate Sales Department in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and the Keihan Corporate Sales Department in Hirakata City, Osaka, demonstrating continued expansion within its regional footprint.

Question 5

What services does Awa Bank offer?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank provides comprehensive banking services including general accounts, savings deposits, time deposits, foreign currency deposits, and certificates of deposit. The bank offers various loan products including housing loans, remodeling loans, car loans, education loans, solar loans, and business support loans for enterprises.

Investment services include investment trusts and over-the-counter sales of securities products. Insurance offerings cover life insurance, fire insurance, education insurance, and business insurance. Additional services include internet banking, pension management, safe deposit boxes, and specialized management and business support services for corporate clients.

The bank launched its mobile banking app in 2021, which has garnered approximately 500,000 downloads as of 2023. The bank has also committed to sustainable finance, announcing plans to allocate approximately 20 billion yen toward green initiatives and sustainable projects.

Question 6

What makes Awa Bank unique?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank holds exceptionally high market shares within Tokushima Prefecture, maintaining one of the strongest regional positions among Japanese regional banks. The bank deposit balance per household in Tokushima Prefecture is 10.9 million yen, the second highest in Japan, reflecting the prudent financial nature of local residents and the bank's deep community integration.

As of March 2023, Awa Bank has total assets of approximately 2.88 trillion yen with a capital adequacy ratio of 9.6%, well above regulatory requirements. The bank's long history of expanding business outside its home prefecture dating back to 1896 distinguishes it from many regional banks.

Tokushima Prefecture is known for having one of Japan's best broadband environments, and Awa Bank leverages this infrastructure to deliver modern digital banking services to its customer base.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Awa Bank?

Accepted Answer

Awa Bank is a regional bank (地方銀行, chihō ginkō) in Japan, a category of commercial banks that primarily serve specific geographic regions. As the designated financial institution for Tokushima Prefecture and its municipalities, Awa Bank performs duties such as holding deposits for public money and handling government payments.

The bank is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and operates under the regulatory framework of the Financial Services Agency of Japan. As a regional bank, Awa Bank focuses on serving local communities and small to medium-sized enterprises within its operational territory while providing comprehensive financial services comparable to major national banks.

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About Awa Bank in Japan