Local News

A total of seven of the 17 Kyushu regional banks have revised upward their net profit projections for the year on their interim reports. The banks’ improved outlook results from a decline in bankruptcies among their customers, reduced expenses required for disposing of non-performing loans, an upturn in the stock market, and improved results from their securities portfolio management. The banks also caution, however, that demand for loans remains low and that concerns remain about an economic downturn.