#Japan #Tokyo #Regional Banks #Helpfeel #AI Community

Helpfeel Hosts First Regional Bank AI Community Event

On August 8, 2025, Helpfeel, a company based in Kyoto, Japan, specializing in self-service AI systems, organized the first event of the Regional Bank AI Community in Tokyo. This initiative brought together representatives from 11 local banks, with a total of 16 participants, to explore how AI can enhance customer convenience in non-face-to-face channels, such as websites and applications.

Background of the Helpfeel Regional Bank AI Community

The Regional Bank AI Community was established to address common challenges faced by local banks, including 22staff shortages,22 22increasing operational complexity,22 and 22changes in regional economies.22 This platform fosters knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving, allowing community members to use AI as a tool for collective advancement. By leveraging Helpfeel's expertise in knowledge management, participants aim to visualize the future landscape of finance and local communities.

A Day of Open Dialogue on Successes and Challenges

The event kicked off with a presentation from Helpfeel's dedicated consulting team for regional banks, which highlighted successful AI applications across various institutions. This was followed by case studies from Ashikaga Bank, Iyo Bank, and Hokuriku Bank, showcasing their innovative uses of AI to enhance customer experiences in non-face-to-face interactions.

During a coffee break, participants enjoyed catering featuring local delicacies, facilitating informal networking. The subsequent roundtable discussion intensified, focusing on practical themes such as the evolving role of FAQ personnel due to generative AI, methods to convey reductions in inquiries and improved customer satisfaction to management, and the potential for proactive support. This exchange of ideas crossed traditional boundaries, enabling attendees to share authentic opinions from their diverse backgrounds.

To conclude, Helpfeel’s CEO, Mr. Katsukazu Rakusai, delivered a talk titled “Considering the Next Steps for Local Banks - Trends in AI.” He discussed new developments in generative AI and anticipated features, providing insights into the path forward. The day ended on a high note with a networking session that resulted in the sharing of pertinent challenges and potential solutions.

Event Details

The event, themed “The Future of Regional Banks Fueled by AI - Enhancing Customer Convenience through Non-Face-to-Face Channels,” took place at Helpfeel’s Tokyo office. Participating banks included Ashikaga Bank, Iyo Bank, Kirayaka Bank, Kiyo Bank, Shiga Bank, Dai-ichi Hokuetsu Bank, Tochigi Bank, Hokkaido Bank, Hokuriku Bank, Musashino Bank, and Yamanashi Chuo Bank.

Helpfeel is committed to using the Regional Bank AI Community to support the AI integration of regional financial institutions, promoting both operational efficiency and enhanced customer experiences.

Highlights from Participant Case Studies

• - Ashikaga Bank: Accelerating financial DX by overhauling its non-face-to-face interactions with AI-driven FAQs.
• - Iyo Bank: Leading the digital transformation among local banks by adopting Helpfeel to centralize non-face-to-face customer contact.
• - Hokuriku Bank: Implemented an AI help desk, organizing around 1,800 internal operational know-hows into a searchable database, reducing call abandonment rates significantly.

About Helpfeel

Founded in December 2007, Helpfeel is a technology company dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and transforming customer insights into knowledge. With their flagship products such as Helpfeel (self-service AI), Helpfeel Cosense (knowledge base), and Gyazo (media storage AI), they empower organizations to enhance customer satisfaction and drive continuous improvement in business operations. As of July 2025, Helpfeel had been implemented in over 650 sites.

For more information, visit Helpfeel's Service Site.