social lending
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has concluded an investment agreement with AGL Holding (Agrolend), a Brazilian digital bank financing the agricultural sector in the country. This project aims to contribute to improving the financial access and agricultural operations of small and medium-sized farmers in Brazil, while increasing the productivity
consumer finance
Credit Saison's financial results for fiscal year 2024 demonstrate a period of significant growth and strategic evolution. The company achieved record-high consolidated operating profit, reflecting strong performance across its core business segments and the positive impact of specific accounting factors. Overall, the company's diverse business model,
consumer finance
Credit Saison's Indian subsidiary has begun raising funds through External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) loans. The subsidiary has signed a contract to execute a 150 million US dollar ECB loan from Mizuho Bank, which is a capital participant in Credit Saison India. Read also: "Mizuho Bank to invest
SME finance
Mizuho Bank and ORIX Corporation have concluded a basic guarantee agreement for unsecured business loans targeting medium and small enterprises. New business loans with ORIX guarantees are scheduled to begin on May 1, 2025. The focus will be on companies with sales of 5 billion yen or less, with 30,
venture capital
INCJ was established in September 2018 via company split from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). INCJ was established in July 2009 with the aim of overcoming boundaries between companies and industries, creating and nurturing key industries via open innovation for the prosperity of future generations, and providing risk capital
banking
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company announced that the number of accounts opened for "Olive," a comprehensive financial service for individual customers, has surpassed 5 million. Olive is a completely new service that seamlessly combines bank accounts, card payments, financing, online securities, online insurance, and
lending
European credit specialist AlbaCore Capital Group, a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB), has launched a new Senior Direct Lending Strategy, having secured anchor investments from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and MUTB. MUFG aims to strengthen its strategic investments
venture capital
Funding Societies | Modalku, the largest SME digital finance platform in Southeast Asia, has announced a strategic equity investment from Gobi Partners, an Asia-focused venture capital firm. This investment underscores strong investor confidence in Funding Societies' business model, resilience, and commitment to bridging the region's SME credit gap,
mergers & acquisitions
MUFG Bank and JACCS have been working together on group collaboration based on the alliance announced in 2008. Meanwhile, the business environment surrounding both companies has been changing rapidly, including changes in the financial environment and the advancement of digital transformation (DX). In response to these changes, while building upon
blockchain
G.U. Technologies Global, which provides web3 solutions such as blockchain infrastructure, including "Japan Open Chain," has launched the DeFi-based "JOC Lending Program". This program allows users to lend their "Japan Open Chain Token" (JOC Coin), the native token of Japan Open Chain, and
venture capital
Neobank Zolve, focused on cross-border financial solutions, has raised USD 251 million in equity and debt financing. The Series B round was led by Creaegis and saw participation from HSBC, SBI Investment, GMO Venture Partners, DG Daiwa Ventures, and existing investors Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sparta Group, and DST Global.
guarantee
Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, has resolved to acquire the shares of Zenhoren through a tender offer under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, and to enter into a capital and business alliance agreement with Zenhoren and MUFG. Zenhoren was established in November 2001