Chapter 219 What's after the Bank
At the freezing cold Akita Airport, Shirakawa Kaede, Hasegawa and their group were patiently waiting for visitors from Tokyo in the arrival hall.
He raised his wrist and looked at it. It should be about half past ten. The flight from Tokyo to Akita was more than an hour, which was quite convenient.
Sure enough, five minutes later, in the passenger passage, Yu Arai, wearing a windbreaker, appeared in sight.
"Arai-san, I'm so sorry to interrupt your vacation."
Shirakawa Kaede felt a little embarrassed to bring Arai Yu to Akita right after the New Year when he was still on vacation.
After all, he is in his early sixties, and the climate in Akita is cold.
So today, Shirakawa Kaede came to Akita Airport specially to pick him up.
Arai Yu waved his hand generously and said, "President Shirakawa Kaede is too polite. It's okay for an old man to move his bones a little.
By the way, who else is coming today?" After saying this, Arai Yu, who was wearing a windbreaker, stepped aside and gestured behind him.
"teacher?!"
Behind Arai Yu, Professor Yamada, who was also wearing a black windbreaker, was looking at this place with a smile.
After being surprised, Baichuan Feng quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Teacher, why are you here?"
"I haven't been to the north for decades, so I took advantage of my vacation to come and take a look."
Before Yamada could finish his words, the luggage in his hand was taken over by Shirakawa Kaede.
Seeing his disciple being so considerate, Professor Yamada smiled and shook his head.
"Since the teacher wants to see the scenery of the north, Shirakawa will definitely accompany you here later."
Baichuan Feng certainly didn't believe that his teacher was just here to see the scenery, but some things didn't need to be explained too clearly.
"Okay, let's go back to the hotel first.
The weather in the north is really amazing, and it's also a good opportunity to take a look at the information that President Shirakawa prepared for us."
Yuichi Arai knew exactly what his old friend was thinking.
The scenery of the north may not be as attractive as these materials.
As expected, Professor Yamada nodded after hearing what Arai said. "It would be better to check the information first, just in case Arai missed anything."
Yu Arai stretched out his finger and pointed at his old friend, who laughed out loud.
Since the seniors all had the same request, Baichuan Feng had no reason to hesitate and took them directly to a hotel in the city center to stay.
Akita Airport is about 20 kilometers away from the city center, and it only takes 30 minutes to drive there.
…
Inside the hotel, Shirakawa Kaede, Arai Yu, and Professor Yamada were sitting together studying the information of Ugo Bank.
"Ugo Bank has 18 branches in total. They are mainly distributed in the five prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata."
Arai Yu raised his head and said, "It is indeed a genuine local bank, and its influence is basically concentrated in the Northeast."
"The main business scope is deposit business, loan business, investment business, and agricultural insurance business," Professor Yamada further added.
“The bank’s total assets are close to 300 billion yen, but its net assets are only around 45 billion.
The business situation is not optimistic. " Arai Yu shook his head.
The so-called total assets of 300 billion may sound like a lot, but the biggest difference between total assets and net assets is that the total assets do not exclude the bank's liabilities.
Net assets = total assets - total liabilities.
In other words, 300 billion - 450 billion = 255 billion yen. This 255 billion yen is the liability of Ugo Bank.
The bank's total asset market value minus liabilities leaves the remaining 45 billion as shareholders' equity.
"Having 45 billion is good, it's better than having liabilities exceeding assets, which would be a problem."
Professor Yamada's impression of Ugo Bank's finances was not too bad.
At least there is some net assets, which means that you are not yet bankrupt.
Sure enough, those who come to you on their own initiative are not popular.
Hiroshi Arai and Professor Yamada looked at each other at the same time, and then laughed at the same time.
"Then let's take a look at what the total assets of Yuhou Bank include."
Arai Yu shared some of the information in his hand with Professor Yamada, and the two began to count the main assets of Yuhou.
For investors, total assets and net assets are two important indicators for examining the operating conditions of a company.
The specific projects included in the total assets are also key factors affecting whether to invest or not.
To be honest, Baichuan Feng himself is not sure about these, especially the banking industry.
Therefore, we need two seniors who have been immersed in this field for many years to supervise it.
"Huh?" Arai Yu, who was reading the information, suddenly let out a light exclamation.
"How is it, Mr. Arai?" Baichuan Feng looked at him nervously. He himself attached great importance to this investment.
Arai Yu took off his glasses and said in surprise, "In addition to current funds and fixed assets, the total assets also include a considerable portion of long-term investments and real estate resources.
Such an asset structure should be very healthy, so why is Yuhou Bank now facing an operational crisis? "
This is what confuses Yu Arai very much, based on his experience.
As long as it maintains this trend, regardless of the future prospects of Yuhou Bank, at least maintaining stable growth should not be a problem.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's because of the heavy snow in the Northeast."
At this time, Professor Yamada, who had finished reading the information in his hand, raised his head and asked.
"Ugo Bank's headmaster Ueda did say that the Daisetsu Company was at risk of a capital chain shortage."
Shirakawa Kaede remembered the explanation given by Mr. Ueda when he met Sasaki Kikuharu last time.
"That makes sense." Professor Yamada handed Zhou Zhong's information to Arai Yu.
“The non-performing assets of Yuhou Bank are mainly concentrated in loan business and insurance business.
Due to heavy snow, some farmers are unable to repay their loans, and insurance compensation for agricultural losses is also a major expense.
If there is a shortage of capital chain, there will indeed be operational risks.”
Although Yuhou Bank has a positive net asset value, net assets do not represent cash.
It could also be fixed assets or long-term investments with stable returns.
"Then..." Baichuan Feng turned his attention to the two seniors, "Is Yuhou Bank worth investing in?"
Arai Yu and Professor Yamada looked at each other, and then their eyes became extremely serious, "At any cost!"
"Eh?" Baichuan Feng was confused by their serious expressions.
Although he also valued this investment, Baichuan Feng was still surprised by their expressions of "definitely not to be missed".
Professor "Shirakawa" Yamada stood up and walked to the window, looking at the snow on the streets of Akita. He pondered for a long time before speaking again.
"Remember the history of Japanese banking that we talked about in class?"
Baichuan Feng's eyes were fixed on his teacher's back. When he heard his question, he nodded subconsciously, "Remember."
"So what are the characteristics of the banking industry during the post-war recovery period?" Yamada continued to ask without turning his head.
“We will implement the main banking system and let banks lead the development of the financial system .
Banks provide financing to enterprises, hold large stakes in them, and even participate in their operations and management.”
Baichuan Feng also studied this part carefully.
"How long did this period last?"
"The period before 1955 was a recovery period, the period before 1973 was a period of rapid development, and the period before 1980 was a period of economic stability."
"And now?"
"Now..." Shirakawa Feng paused, "With the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the reform of the monetary system seems to be likely to be interpreted in the direction of relaxing financial regulations and achieving liberalization."
During this period, Japan's mainstream economic media have been discussing the possibility of financial market liberalization.
The Neon government also seems to be inclined to relax regulations in the financial industry, so Shirakawa Kaede answered in this way.
"Financial liberalization?" Professor Yamada asked in return.
“Maybe the government will no longer impose strict supervision on financial institutions, and banks will no longer pursue large holdings in companies?”
Baichuan Feng answered tentatively.
"No!" Professor Yamada turned around and interrupted Shirakawa Kaede's fantasy.
“Baichuan, remember that the government will never relax its supervision on financial institutions.
And banks, if given the opportunity, will not give up their large holdings in companies.
The so-called liberalization of financial markets is the gradual separation and flexibility of banks and enterprises.
These arguments are nothing more than compromises made by capital under international pressure.
As for the contents of the book…” Professor Yamada waved his hand, “Just take a look at it.”
Baichuan Feng looked at his teacher in a daze. This was the first time that he denied his teaching content in front of him.
"The relationship between banks and companies has been going on since the post-war recovery period... no, since the Meiji Restoration. Banks have never given up on seeking to control companies.
In Neon, the importance of banks to business development is self-evident.
If banks can form shareholdings in a large number of companies through cross- holdings or other means.
Then…" Professor Yamada's eyes flashed with a strange light, staring straight at Baichuan Feng.
Baichuan Feng shuddered immediately, he thought of those two words, chaebol!
"Okay, it's too early to talk about this now." Arai Yu came out to smooth things over.
Alas, my old friend is still a little too impatient.
When Baichuan Feng came to his senses and looked at his teacher, the latter was already sitting calmly on the sofa, drinking tea leisurely.
The impassioned speech just now seemed like a dream.
"President Shirakawa, my opinion on Ugo Bank remains unchanged."
Arai Yu put away the documents on the table, his face also very serious, "At any cost!"
My old friend is anxious, and I am anxious too.
After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether we can embark on an unprecedented path may depend on this time.
After all, it is a bank, and this license alone is extremely rare.
The establishment of a financial institution in Japan requires a separate application to the Ministry of Finance.
Banks require direct approval from the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, so you can imagine how difficult it is.
So even if it's just for that license plate, we must do our best.
In addition, due to strict supervision, the banking, trust and securities industries are incompatible.
However, for some banks with sufficient scale and qualifications, they can set up subsidiaries to operate independently.
Arai Yu has already checked Ugo Bank. Although it does not have these businesses now, the qualifications are sufficient.
Then from now on... Arai Yu turned his gaze to Shirakawa Kaede sitting on the sofa.
The latter's eyes were flickering, and no one knew what he was thinking.
