At Akita Airport in the cold wind, Kaede Shirakawa and Hasegawa are patiently waiting for visitors from Tokyo in the reception hall.

He raised his wrist and looked, it should be about half past ten. It's a little over an hour's flight from Tokyo to Akita, so it's still very convenient.

Sure enough, five minutes later, in the passenger passage, Hiroshi Arai, dressed in a trench coat, appeared in view.

"Arai-san, I'm really sorry to disturb your vacation."

Just after the New Year, he brought Yu Arai, who was still on vacation, to Akita, and Shirakawa Kaede was also a little embarrassed.

After all, he is in his early sixties, and it is still Akita with a cold climate.

So today Shirakawa Kaede came to Akita Airport specially to pick him up.

Arai Yu waved his hand very open-mindedly, "President Shirakawa Kaede is too polite, it doesn't hurt to move an old bone."

By the way, let's see who else is here today? After saying that, Yu Arai, who was wearing a trench coat, let go of his body and gestured behind him.

"Teacher?!"

I saw that behind Hiroshi Arai, Professor Yamada, who was also covered by a black trench coat, was looking here with a smile.

After being surprised, Shirakawa Kaede walked forward quickly and saluted, "Teacher, why are you here?" ”

"I haven't been to the north for decades, so I just took advantage of my vacation to come and have a look."

Before Yamada finished speaking, the luggage in his hand was picked up by Shirakawa Kaede.

Seeing that his disciple was so considerate, Professor Yamada smiled and shook his head.

"Since the teacher wants to see the scenery of the north, Bai Chuan will definitely accompany you to take a turn here."

Of course, Shirakawa Kaede doesn't believe that his teacher is just looking at the scenery, but there are some things that don't need to be said too thoroughly.

"Alright, let's go back to the hotel first.

The weather in the north is really surprising, and it's just a good time to take a look at the materials that President Shirakawa has prepared for us. ”

For the thoughts of old friends, Arai Yukazu is clear.

The scenery of the northern country may not be as attractive as these materials.

Sure enough, hearing Arai's words, Professor Yamada also nodded. "It's better to go and check the information first, so that guy from Arai doesn't have any omissions."

Arai Yu held out his finger and nodded at his old friend, who laughed.

Since the seniors all had the same request, Shirakawa Kaede had nothing to hesitate about, and took them directly to the hotel in the city center.

Akita Airport is about 20 kilometers from the city center, and it takes 30 minutes to drive.

…

Inside the hotel, Kaede Shirakawa, Hiroshi Arai, and Professor Yamada are sitting together studying the materials of the Ugo Bank.

"Yugo Bank, a total of 18 branches. It is mainly distributed in the five prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata. ”

Arai Yu raised his head, "It is indeed an authentic local bank, and its influence is basically concentrated in the northeast." ”

"The main business scope is deposit business, loan business, investment business, and agricultural insurance business." Professor Yamada further added.

"The total assets of the bank are close to 300 billion yen, but the net assets are only about 45 billion yen.

The business situation is not optimistic. Arai shook his head.

The so-called total assets of 300 billion may sound like a lot, but the biggest difference between total assets and net assets is that the total assets do not exclude the liabilities of the bank.

Net Assets = Total Assets - Total Liabilities.

In other words, 3,000-450 = 255 billion yen. The 255 billion yen is the liability of the Bank of Yugo.

The market value of the bank's total assets minus liabilities, and the remaining 45 billion is shareholders' equity.

"It's good to have 45 billion, it's better than liabilities exceeding assets, that's the trouble."

Professor Yamada's impression of the financial situation of the Bank is not too bad.

At least have net worth, which means that it has not reached the point of bankruptcy.

Sure enough, those who took the initiative to come to the door were not fragrant.

Hiroshi Arai and Professor Yamada looked at each other in unison, and then laughed at the same time.

"So let's take a look at what the total assets of the Bank of Yugo contain."

Arai Yu gave some of the information in his hand to Professor Yamada, and the two began to take stock of Yugo's main assets.

For investors, total assets and net assets are two important indicators to examine the operation of a business.

The specific items included in the total assets are also the key factors affecting whether to invest or not.

For these, especially the banking industry, to be honest, Shirakawa Kaede himself is not sure.

Therefore, it is necessary for two seniors who have been immersed in this way for many years to check it.

"Huh" Yu Arai, who was reading the information, suddenly sighed lightly.

"How, Arai-san." Bai Chuanfeng looked at him nervously, and he also attached great importance to this investment.

"In addition to working capital and fixed assets, the total assets part also includes a considerable part of long-term investment and real estate resources.

Such an asset structure should be very healthy, but why did the Bank of Yugo suffer a business crisis today? ”

This is what puzzles Hiroshi Arai very much, judging by his experience.

As long as it continues, the future prospects of the bank will not be a problem, at least maintaining stable growth should not be a problem.

"If I'm not mistaken, it's because of the heavy snow in Tohoku."

At this time, Professor Yamada, who had finished reading the information in his hand, raised his head and asked.

"Ueda, the head of the Hago Bank, did say that because Daisetsuki was at risk of a shortage of funds."

Shirakawa Kaede remembered the explanation that Ueda-san had given the last time he met with Kikuji Sasaki.

"That makes sense." Professor Yamada handed the midweek materials to Hiroshi Arai.

"The non-performing assets of Yugo Bank are mainly concentrated in the loan business and insurance business.

Due to the heavy snowfall, some farmers were unable to repay their loans, and insurance compensation for agricultural losses was also a large expense.

If there is a shortage of capital chain, there will indeed be operational risks. ”

Although the net asset value of the bank is positive, the net assets do not mean that it is cash.

It could also be a fixed asset, or a long-term investment with a steady income.

"So..."Shirakawa Kaede set his eyes on the two seniors, "Is the Hago Bank worth the shot?" ”

Professor Arai Hiroshi and Professor Yamada glanced at each other, and then their eyes became extremely serious, "Do whatever it takes!" ”

"Huh?" Shirakawa Kaede was a little confused by their serious expressions.

Although he also attaches great importance to this investment, the expression of "absolutely not to be missed" like them is still a big surprise to Shirakawa Kaede.

"Shirakawa" Professor Yamada got up and went to the window, looked at the snow on the streets of Akita, and muttered for a while before speaking again.

"Do you remember what you told in class about the history of the banking industry in Japan?"

Shirakawa Kaede's eyes were fixed on his teacher's back, and when he heard his question at this moment, he nodded subconsciously, "Remember." ”

"So what are the characteristics of the banking sector during the post-war recovery period?" Yamada continued to ask without looking back.

"Implement the main banking system, with banks leading the development of the financial system.

Banks provide financing for enterprises, hold large holdings in enterprises, and even connect to the operation and management of enterprises. ”

For this part of the content, Shirakawa Kaede has also studied it attentively.

"How long did this period last?"

"Before 55 years, there will be a period of recovery, before 73 years will be a period of rapid development, and before 80 years will be a period of economic stability."

"And now?"

"Now," Shirakawa paused, "with the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, it seems likely that the reform of the monetary system will be deregulated and liberalized." ”

During this time, Japan's mainstream economic media were discussing the possibility of liberalization of the financial market.

The neon government also seems to have a tendency to deregulate the financial sector, which is why Shirakawa Kaede replied in this way.

"Financial liberalization?" Professor Yamada asked rhetorically.

"Presumably because the government no longer strictly supervises financial institutions, and banks no longer pursue large shareholdings in companies?"

Kaede Shirakawa replied tentatively.

"No!" Professor Yamada turned his head and interrupted Shirakawa Kaede's thoughts.

"Shirakawa, you remember, the government will never relax the regulation of financial institutions.

And banks do not give up their large holdings in enterprises if they have the opportunity.

The so-called liberalization of financial markets, the gradual separation and flexibility of banks and enterprises.

These arguments are nothing more than compromises made by capital under international pressure.

As for the contents of the book..."Professor Yamada waved his hand, "just take a look." ”

Shirakawa Kaede looked at his teacher in a daze, this was the first time he had denied his teaching content in front of him.

"The relationship between banks and corporations, from the post-war recovery period... No, since the Meiji Restoration. Banks have never given up on seeking control of companies.

At Neon, the importance of banks to business development cannot be overstated.

If banks are able to form shareholdings in a large number of enterprises through cross-shareholding, or other means.

So..."Professor Yamada's eyes flashed with a strange light, staring straight at Shirakawa Kaede.

Bai Chuan Feng directly hit the spirit, he thought of those two words, chaebol!

"Well, it's too early to tell." Hiroshi Arai came out to play a round.

Alas, the old friend is still a little too anxious.

When Shirakawa Kaede came back to his senses and looked at his teacher, the latter was already sitting on the edge of the sofa, drinking tea slowly.

The generous statement just now was like a dream.

"President Shirakawa, my opinion on the Bank of Hago remains the same."

Arai Yu put away the information on the table, his face was also solemn, "At all costs!" ”

Old friends are anxious, and so are themselves.

After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and whether or not you can embark on an unimagined path depends on this experience.

After all, it's a bank, and this license alone is extremely rare.

In order to establish a financial institution in Japan, a separate application must be filed with the Ministry of Finance.

Banks need to be directly approved by the Minister of Cabinet, which is difficult to imagine.

So even if it's for that license, you have to go all out.

In addition, due to strict supervision, the banking industry is not compatible with the trust industry and the securities industry.

However, for some banks with sufficient size and qualifications, it is possible to set up a subsidiary to operate independently.

Yugo Bank, Hiroshi Arai has already checked. Although there are no such businesses now, the qualifications are sufficient.

So later... Yu Arai set his eyes on Kaede Shirakawa on the sofa.

The latter's eyes flickered, not knowing what he was thinking.

(End of chapter)