Chiba Kogyo Bank reports strong half-year earnings, plans holding company merger

The Chiba Kogyo Bank, Ltd. reported a 15.7% increase in ordinary income to JPY 32,960 million and a 16.0% rise in ordinary profit to JPY 6,917 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025. Profit attributable to owners of parent grew 20.2% to JPY 4,873 million. Total assets reached JPY 3,303,720 million, with net assets at JPY 186,047 million, resulting in an equity-to-asset ratio of 5.4%. The bank forecasts a full-year ordinary profit of JPY 11,300 million and JPY 7,500 million in profit attributable to owners of parent for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

The bank announced a basic agreement to establish a bank holding company with Chiba Bank, targeting April 1, 2027, through a joint share transfer. This will create a new banking group with combined customer bases in Chiba Prefecture and the Tokyo metropolitan area. The new holding company's common shares are expected to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market.

Additionally, The Chiba Kogyo Bank decided to acquire and cancel 500,000 Class II preferred shares for JPY 2,000,000,000 on October 20, 2025, to reduce dividend burdens and enhance financial stability. The bank also plans to fully acquire Chiba Sogo Lease Co., Ltd. and Chibagin Computer Soft Co., Ltd. by the end of March 2026 and January 2026, respectively, by acquiring the remaining 95% of voting rights.