Sakana AI Forms Strategic Partnership with Hokkoku Financial Holdings

• Following megabanks, Sakana AI begins providing bank-specialized AI solutions to regional banks
• As the first partnership with a regional bank, signed MOU with Hokkoku Bank and began considering specific implementation details
• Moving forward, will work together with Hokkoku Bank to promote transformation of regional finance including regional revitalization, serving as a model case for initiatives with other regional banks

Sakana AI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding strategic collaboration that combines AI technology with regional finance expertise with Hokkoku Financial Holdings, a regional financial group. Through this partnership, by combining Hokkoku FHD's expertise in regional finance and extensive experience as a pioneer among regional banks in introducing advanced initiatives including digitalization, with Sakana AI's cutting-edge AI technology, the partners aim to demonstrate a leading model for AI implementation in the regional finance sector.

Background and Purpose of the Partnership

Sakana AI established its "Business Development Division" in March 2024 to connect its research achievements, exemplified by the "AI Scientist," to solving real-world business challenges. Focusing on the financial industry as a sector where significant value creation through AI utilization is expected domestically, Sakana AI has been deepening collaboration with the financial industry. Following the previously announced comprehensive partnership with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, a megabank, this agreement accelerates collaboration with regional financial institutions that play important roles in Japan's financial ecosystem.

Hokkoku FHD promotes growth strategies for regional financial groups through digital technology utilization and new business creation by providing a wide range of services to the regional economy as a "next-generation regional comprehensive company." Particularly in March 2025, they announced the introduction of cutting-edge multi-LLM technology to their next-generation core banking system, becoming a top runner in promoting AI utilization in the regional banking industry. Hokkoku FHD has trusted Sakana AI's expertise in finance-specialized AI as a partner for promoting AI utilization to provide even higher added value in the regional economy and finance sector, leading to the signing of this MOU.

This MOU signing with Hokkoku FHD accelerates collaboration with regional financial institutions following megabanks, and Sakana AI intends to further advance AI utilization in the regional finance sector going forward.

Specific Content of the Collaboration

Based on this MOU, both companies will proceed with collaboration discussions toward co-creation and demonstration of various use cases in the regional finance sector. Specifically, discussions will begin on initiatives such as the following:

• AI-powered M&A matching support between regional companies
• Application consideration of AI technology contributing to customer service improvement and banking operational efficiency
• Joint development of new business models that contribute to regional revitalization, closely addressing regional finance challenges such as business succession and service provision to unlisted companies

Both companies will establish regular working groups, sharing Hokkoku FHD's specialized knowledge in regional finance and Sakana AI's technical capabilities, while promptly proceeding with specific project selection and planning, aiming to begin pilot projects from autumn 2025 onwards.