Local News

The Yamaguchi Financial Group, based in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which operates the Bank of Yamaguchi and the Momiji Bank, announced plans to convert their Kyushu branches into a separate Bank of Kitakyushu unit. Most of these branches are located in the Kitakyushu area. Some observers wonder about the wisdom of the step, however, because this will make the region one of the most highly competitive in the country for financial institutions at the same time the city of Kitakyushu is losing population.