Bank of the Ryukyus, Ltd. was established in 1948 under an ordinance of the U.S. military for the purpose of restoring financial order and stabilizing the currency in order to facilitate the sound development of the Okinawan economy. From its founding up to the reversion of Okinawa to Japan, the Bank dedicated itself to promoting the development of the prefectural economy in its role as the region’s de facto central bank.

When Okinawa was restored to Japanese sovereignty in 1972, the Bank reverted to the status of an ordinary bank subject to Japanese banking law, and as the prefecture’s leading bank, it facilitated the transition to the Japanese economic and financial systems. In 1983, we became the first bank in Okinawa to be listed on the stock exchange, and in 1986 construction of our Computer Center was completed. In 1988, we established an international foundation. In this way, the Bank has been simultaneously working to strengthen its business structure and actively contribute to the prosperity of the regional community.

In September 1999, in an effort to strengthen the soundness of its assets and financial structure, the Bank increased its capital by ￥22.7 billion through a private placement and received an injection of ￥40 billion in public funds.

In June 2002, the decision was made to adopt an executive officer system, with the aim of facilitating more rapid response to changes in the banking environment, while enhancing the Bank’s competitiveness as well as its level of overall efficiency.

In 2004, we introduced an Internet banking service, thereby becoming the first bank in the prefecture to offer online banking services for corporate clients.

In April 2007, we launched our new medium-term (three-year) management plan under the name Challenge 51.