The chief of the Regional Banks Association of Japan expressed caution Wednesday about calls from the alliance between Sanwa Bank, Tokai Bank and Asahi Bank for regional banks to join a planned integrated computer system.
"We cannot immediately respond to such calls as the proposals have not yet been clarified," said Sadaaki Hirasawa, also president of the Bank of Yokohama. Hirasawa's comments followed the three banks' announcement that they plan to consolidate under a holding company.
The three expressed hope that regional financial institutions would join their unified computer system.
"Computer systems for such a gigantic bank would be costly and would be too complex. Regional banks would only require part of such a system," Hirasawa said.
The head of the 64-member industry group, however, predicted the tripartite integration would affect regional banks by accelerating the ongoing realignment of Japan's banking industry.