STRATEGIC PARTNERS
December 30, 2001
TOKYO -- Japan's new Internet-based Sony Bank has gained some 21,000 accounts in its first month of operations due largely to the 'strength of the Sony brand,' the new bank's president said in an interview with the Kyodo News.
Sony Bank, which began operating on June 11, received applications for 35,000 accounts in its first month.
Owned 80 percent by Sony Corp., Sony Bank is Japan's second Internet-based bank following Japan Net Bank, which was launched last October.
Account holders at Sony Bank are issued cards enabling them to deposit, withdraw and remit money using the cards at any ATM at branches and retail outlets of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and the am/pm Japan convenience store chain.
Ishii said the cards will also be accepted by ATMs at post offices, beginning next January.
Ishii hinted that there could be a partnership with IYBank, another branch-free bank that operates ATMs at outlets of supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co. and its subsidiary Seven-Eleven Japan Co. He said the two banks can have 'complementary' relations but have yet to start negotiations.
