The Bank of the Ryukyus takes seriously its responsibility as a regional financial institution to foster the development of regional society. In this role, we participate in various local clean-ups and other events, support welfare activities, and undertake a broad range of other initiatives. The Ryugin Mutual Support Committee provides assistance for regional welfare activities and environmental protection efforts. The Committee uses funds raised through the voluntary activities of employees, which are matched by equal donations by the Bank. We also donate funds to corporations and groups involved in social welfare initiatives.

Dedicated to promoting traditional Okinawan arts and encouraging the development of young artists, the Bank hosts an annual color stencil dyeing contest called the Bingata Design Competition. Prize-winning exhibits are used to adorn the Bank’s passbooks and cash and credit cards, as well as to decorate promotional materials. The Bank also promotes regional culture and actively sponsors sporting events, international exchange, and other social activities.

The Ryugin Business Club was established in 1997 with the aim of furnishing local companies with useful and timely information. Using our extensive network, the Club offers business contact services and compiles business reports. It also conducts regular seminars and other lectures. In April 2000, it hosted a seminar to help small and medium-sized companies implement internal reforms.

The 26th G8 summit meeting of heads of state was held from July 21 to 23 in the Bankoku Shinryo Building in Nago City, Okinawa. During that time, the Bank, as sole representative of the Banks Association of Okinawa, set up a foreign exchange counter in the summit press center for the convenience of media representatives and other personnel. We also offered training in foreign currency exchange to employees of major local hotels, helping them provide such services smoothly during the summit.

The Bank will continue to maintain close ties with the regional community to help create a more comfortable living environment.

Prize-winning exhibits from the 9th Annual Bingata Design Competition

9th Annual Ryugin Bingata Design Competition

Bingata is one of the traditional arts of Okinawa. The Bank has hosted the Bingata Design Exhibition since 1992 to promote bingata design, encourage the development of young artists, and investigate broader areas of bingata design. All of the works submitted by the contestants were on exhibit, and the prize-winning exhibits are more widely displayed, on the Bank's calendars, advertisements, and other promotional materials.

Bingata

Bingata is a type of stencil dyeing method where stencils cut from pieces of patterned paper are used on fabric, which is treated with stenciling resistant paste and richly colored by hand. Said to be one of the traditional arts of China, transmitted to the Kingdom of the Ryukyus (modern Okinawa Prefecture) in the 15th century it was later influenced by the Okinawan climate and culture and developed into one of the representative arts of Okinawa. Bingata dyed fabric, which is familiar not only to Okinawans but to many people outside Okinawa, is richly colored and displays a freshness of tint that epitomizes these sunny Pacific islands.