Local News

Fukuoka Bank, one of the banks operated by the Fukuoka Financial Group, announced it will open a branch in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Yamaguchi Financial Group, meanwhile, plans to open a new bank in Kitakyushu next fall. The move by Fukuoka Bank is seen as a step to offset the competition. The Fukuoka Bank merged its last branch in Ube 12 years ago with its branch in Shimonoseki. The Nishinippon City Bank also plans to strengthen its presence in both Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kitakyushu, so competition is expected to intensify.