#Japan #Tokyo #AWS Cloud #Fujitsu #Sony Bank

Introduction

On May 6, 2025, Sony Bank officially launched its next-generation digital banking system in partnership with Fujitsu, utilizing the robust capabilities of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure. This innovative system aims to streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction by providing a flexible, cloud-native banking experience, which is crucial in the evolving financial landscape.

The Need for Transformation

The financial industry is undergoing rapid changes due to technological advancements. As customer needs diversify, there is an increasing demand for enhanced convenience and value in banking services. To meet these challenges, Sony Bank recognized the necessity of transitioning from a traditional, tightly-coupled system architecture to a more agile, loosely-coupled platform that can efficiently address customer needs. This strategic move was aimed at providing unique and innovative products and services with speed and flexibility.

Collaboration with Fujitsu

In the development of this new system, Sony Bank acted as the first user of Fujitsu's next-generation core banking system, known as Fujitsu Core Banking xBank. This system is designed to maximize the benefits of cloud services, implementing a microservices architecture that allows Sony Bank to rapidly introduce new products and independently enhance existing services, thus achieving significant business agility.

High Resilience with AWS

This transition marks a crucial step in Sony Bank's journey towards full cloud transformation, building on previously cloud-optimized peripheral systems. By utilizing AWS in both the Tokyo and Osaka regions, Sony Bank ensures high resilience and rapid recovery capabilities, especially critical during disaster scenarios affecting the primary Tokyo region.

Moreover, the migration to this new cloud-based system has enabled Sony Bank to reduce its CO2 emissions by an impressive 90% compared to its on-premise setup in 2012. The partnership with AWS, which invests heavily in energy-efficient infrastructure and renewable energy, has played a fundamental role in achieving this goal.

Features of the Next-Gen Digital Banking System

1. Shift from Defensive to Offensive IT

The previous on-premise systems necessitated significant regular IT investments for maintenance, leading to substantial workloads. The new cloud-native architecture drastically decreases these fixed costs, allowing Sony Bank to reallocate resources towards innovative product and service development.

2. Rapid Introduction of New Products

Historically, complex traditional systems extended the time required for new product development. The new system leverages AWS container management services, facilitating a microservices-driven approach that reduces the asset footprint of core banking applications by up to 60%. This increased flexibility enhances productivity, enabling faster rollout of new offerings.

3. Enhanced External Collaboration and Adoption of New Technologies

Traditional core banking systems often restricted external collaboration and integration of new technologies due to the need for additional IT infrastructure. The new system's cloud-native design allows for seamless integration with various external services and technologies, supporting agile responses to evolving business needs.

Overall Architecture of the New System

The new core banking system, Fujitsu xBank, is integrated with peripheral systems built on AWS. This architecture combines flexibility and scalability, ensuring comprehensive coverage of Sony Bank's diverse product offerings, including deposits, payments, foreign currencies, and loans.

Statements from Leadership

Keiji Minami, President of Sony Bank:
"Our collaboration with Fujitsu has been instrumental in transitioning to our next-generation digital banking system. The core banking system is essential for providing our customers with trustworthy services, and this migration is vital for Sony Bank's future growth. Building on a cloud-native environment also enhances our collaborative capabilities with other cloud-based services."

Katsu Yagi, Executive Officer of Fujitsu:
"We are excited to witness the launch of Sony Bank's new digital banking system. This project was not just about moving existing systems to the cloud; it involved a complete transformation to cloud-native applications, ensuring significant business agility."

Akihiko Shirahata, President of AWS Japan:
"The successful launch of Sony Bank's core system on AWS marks a pivotal moment in the cloud migration of mission-critical systems in the financial sector. We remain committed to supporting Sony Bank's journey to leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver unique products and services promptly."

Conclusion

The launch of the new digital banking system by Sony Bank signifies a major shift in how financial services are delivered, emphasizing innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. With the ongoing evolution of technology, Sony Bank is poised to meet and exceed customer expectations, paving the way for a more dynamic banking future.