Chiba Bank (OTCMKTS:CHBAY), Ltd. (OTCMKTS: CHBAY) is a regional financial institution headquartered in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1943 through the merger of several local banks, it has grown to become the leading lender in the prefecture and one of the largest regional banks in Japan. Over the decades, Chiba Bank has expanded its services beyond traditional banking to include trust banking, asset management, foreign exchange, and investment advisory services, positioning itself as a comprehensive financial partner for both individual and corporate customers.
The bank’s core business spans retail banking functions—such as deposit taking, consumer loans, mortgage financing, and credit card issuance—and corporate banking, where it provides working capital loans, syndicated financing, trade finance, and cash management services. In recent years, Chiba Bank has also developed specialized lending programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural cooperatives, and local government projects, underscoring its commitment to supporting regional economic development and community revitalization efforts.
With an extensive network of domestic branches across Chiba Prefecture and neighboring regions, Chiba Bank serves clients through over 170 branches, numerous ATMs, and a suite of digital channels. Its overseas footprint includes representative offices and branches in key financial centers such as New York, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and global market access for its clients. This international presence complements the bank’s strategy to facilitate inbound investment into Japan and support Japanese corporations pursuing opportunities abroad.
Chiba Bank’s governance framework is overseen by a board of directors and executive management team, led by a president who is supported by several managing directors and department heads. The bank continues to invest in digital transformation, with initiatives ranging from mobile banking enhancements to artificial intelligence–driven credit assessment tools. Through these efforts, Chiba Bank aims to balance its long-standing tradition of local engagement with the agility and innovation required in today’s financial landscape.
