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.

  
In May 2002, in cooperation with the Okinawa & Asia Disabled Support Association, the Bank and its employees donated over 15,000 articles of clothing, consisting of discontinued summer uniforms for female bank employees as well as personal donations, to help in the establishment of a facility to aid disabled people in Cambodia.
   The Bank will continue to maintain close ties with the regional community to help create a more comfortable living environment.