#Japan #Okayama #Chugoku Bank #Furusato Partners #REIT Investment

Chugoku Bank Leads Regional Investment in Real Estate

In a significant move for local economic development, Chugoku Bank has announced its capital participation in Furusato Partners, an asset management company focused on establishing a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). This initiative marks the first time a regional bank has invested in such a venture, highlighting a new direction for enhancing regional economic sustainability through real estate investments.

Background of the Investment

The partnership brings together NBI Holdings, PROSPER, and Showa Lease, three companies that came together to create Furusato Partners with the goal of investing in hotels and traditional inns, thereby promoting regional revitalization.

The collaboration stems from a shared vision for local community development between NBI Holdings and Chugoku Bank. The investment is particularly focused on properties within the bank's operating area, aimed at upgrading local hospitality assets, such as hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns).

By recycling funds within the local tourism sector, this initiative intends to foster a sustainable regional economy. It merges NBI's extensive real estate investment expertise with Chugoku Bank's long-standing knowledge of real estate finance, creating a robust platform for nurturing the local economy.

Details of the Capital Participation

Chugoku Bank's capital participation in Furusato Partners is laid out in several key aspects:
1. Equity Transferor: NBI Holdings and PROSPER
2. Equity Transferee: Chugoku Bank
3. Shares Being Transferred: 2.5% of the issued shares
4. Date of Contract Signing: April 30, 2026
5. Execution Date of Transfer: Scheduled for May 29, 2026

Further developments and future projections regarding this capital engagement will be disclosed at a press conference set to take place on May 29 in Okayama City, ensuring transparency and community engagement in this significant initiative.

Company Profiles

NBI Holdings

• - Name: NBI Holdings Co., Ltd.
• - Headquarters: 5th Floor, Hibiya Central Building, 1-2-9 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: Takayuki Kanaya
• - Capital: 500 million JPY
• - Business: Real estate investment, financial services, and regional revitalization initiatives.
• - Licenses: Licensed under the Kanto Financial Bureau (No. 3494) and multiple real estate management certifications.

PROSPER

• - Name: PROSPER Co., Ltd.
• - Location: 5-9-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: Yōzō Tachibana
• - Capital: 200 million JPY
• - Business: Management of private equity funds and other regional revitalization projects. Licensed under special regulations for institutional investors.

Showa Lease

• - Name: Showa Lease Co., Ltd.
• - Headquarters: 2-4-3 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: Nobusuke Taizan
• - Capital: 29.36 billion JPY
• - Business: Comprehensive leasing services covering a wide array of sectors, including healthcare and aviation.

Chugoku Bank

• - Name: Chugoku Bank Co., Ltd.
• - Office: 1-15-20 Marunouchi, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
• - Representative: Sadakazu Kato
• - Capital: 15.1 billion JPY

This collaboration serves as a breakthrough in regional banking and real estate investment, marking a progressive change towards fostering sustainable local growth and revitalization. As companies like Chugoku Bank take active roles in development initiatives, the potential for enhancing local economies continues to expand.

For further inquiries related to this initiative, please contact the PR and IR department of NBI Holdings at Tel: 03-6263-9193.