Hanzawa Naoki (半沢直樹)

It's been my dream to work here at Sangyo Chuo Bank.

However, we're not the only bank around, are we?

No, but

it has to be this bank.

My family runs a small business.

When I was in middle school,

our client company went bankrupt, and

my family's company was on the verge of bankruptcy too.

The scene of my father begging and pleading,

saying, "I'll figure out a way, I'll figure out a way,"

is still etched in my mind.

A few days later,

my father collapsed from exhaustion and passed away.

After my father's death, our local main bank

wasted no time withdrawing their loan, and

tormented my mother and employees.

At that time, the one who saved us

was the bank with whom we only had a casual business relationship,

the Sangyo Chuo Bank.

Your bank foresaw the potential of my father's industrial parts

and saved us by giving us a loan.

My mother took over my father's factory, and

she has been managing to keep it in operation to this day.

That is the reason I want to join your bank

and repay that debt.

I see. This concludes the interview.

If you don't hear from us by midnight tomorrow,

please understand that it wasn't meant to be.

I understand.

Sangyo Chuo Bank Job Interview Testing Center

Next person please.

1992 Sangyo Chuo Bank Initiation Ceremony

Just as I thought.

I knew you'd be hired.

I'm Tomari Shinobu.

You guys are athletes from Keio, right?

Same here. Economics at Keio.

I'm Kondo Naosuke with the kendo team.

You're Hanzawa Naoki, right?

I remember you from the interview. Pleased to meet you.

You too.

Incidentally,

I'm hoping to get into Project Finance.

Keio University, Department of Economics Tomari Shinobu

Now that I'm a banker,

I'd like to move billions of yen and

get involved in big projects that would have an impact on the future.

What about you?

Keio University, Business School Kendo Team Kondo Naosuke

As long as I can serve the society as a banker.

it doesn't matter where I go.

Wow, that's admirable. How about you, Hanzawa?

Where do you want to go?

I'm going to climb higher.

After getting to the top,

there's something I have to do.

The present Tokyo Chuo Bank, Osaka Nishi Branch Office

Do you realize? That's 500 million. 500 million!

Hanzawa, we incurred the loss because of you.

What's that look for?

Don't just stand there. Get down on your knees and apologize!

Hurry up and apologize!

That's not what you said.

- That time, you said all... - Forget it.

Now is not the time to be shifting the blame on each other.

I'll get down on my knees all you want if that will make you happy.

However, I believe our first priority is to get to the bottom of the situation

and recover the 500 million as soon as possible.

- Are you getting defiant on us? - You're absolutely right, Chief Hanzawa.

Please do whatever you can to recover the 500 million.

If you can't...

After the collapse of the bubble economy,

Sangyo Chuo Bank was left with massive bad loans (2.9 trillion yen).

In order to survive, they merged with Tokyo Daiichi Bank in 2002.

As a result, the No. 3 mega-bank in the world,

Tokyo Chuo Bank was born.

In the Kansai area, there are

approximately 50 branch offices.

Among those, this Osaka Nishi Branch Office,

along with Osaka Main Branch, Namba Branch, and Semba Branch,

is one of the Big 4 Branch Offices.

Now, 2 years after Hanzawa Naoki's

arrival, Osaka Nishi Branch was about to

face its most dire predicament to date.

3 months before the 500-million yen loan mishap

Ibata Kogyo, one of our major customers, went bankrupt, and

figuring it was a matter of time for us as well,

Osaka, Fukushima Ward Makino Seiki

our main bank, Kansai City, suddenly refused to finance us.

It's not so bad if that's all.

Even the 50 million we borrowed last time was seized from our account.

At this rate, it's certain that we'll issue a bad check this month.

- Please, please, help us out. - President Makino.

This endoscope socket.

- Have you applied for a patent? - Yes.

Here it is.

Yes. This is it.

The Patent Office approved it yesterday.

Please let me take a look at the manufacturing site.

Go ahead.

Most of the work is done by hand, isn't it?

This is where we make prototypes.

Once we get a big order, we'll put some of it on the assembly line.

But if you're making each one meticulously by hand,

the labor cost is enormous.

I'm making it a point to do it this way.

With our products, the sensory perception you can't get

without touching, seeing, and hearing the sound is what's important.

Makino-san, if I told you we'll give you a loan if you automate production,

what would you do?

Well...

I'll just have to look for another bank.

This is my policy.

That's one thing I won't compromise!

Is this a titanium engine valve?

Yes.

We made it specially for an overseas F-1 team.

They wanted one that was as strong and light as possible.

I see.

I've never seen a skill to cut titanium with such precision by hand.

You have wonderful skilled workers here.

There's a limit as to what computers can do.

Please cherish that policy of yours.

Then...

As a banker, I can't make any promises right now.

Until the request is approved.

However, I will do my best.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

However, I have one condition.

This patent is much too lax.

The substance nomenclature and use are too restrictive.

With a minor change, the same effect can be easily stolen.

Let's get this revised immediately.

Thank you.

A 30 million yen loan to Makino Seiki?

Tokyo Chuo Bank Osaka Nishi Branch Regular Meeting

Yes.

It's a matter of time before they go under.

Are you planning to pour 30 million down the drain?

No. I disagree.

These people developed a titanium endoscope socket with their uncommon skills.

That would greatly reduce the burden on patients.

The production of ultra light endoscope camera is also possible.

They've already acquired the patent for it.

Makino Seiki will turn things around in the near future.

You don't get it, do you? We don't care about the future.

There's only 1 week left until end of the term. 1 week.

In order to reach the sales target of 10 billion yen established by Headquarters,

we're still short 500 million. A measly loan of 30 million

- is just a drop in the bucket! - Measly?

That's just a self-serving rationale on the evil bank's part.

To the party getting the loan, it's a matter of survival...

Hanzawa-kun.

In my opinion, we've come this close to the target amount

thanks in large part to your effort as the Loan Section Chief.

That's precisely why we need your help to make this last push.

If we can reach the sales target of 10 billion yen,

our Osaka Nishi Branch will be sure to capture

the prestigious crown as the Best Branch.

We can then live up to our reputation as the top branch in Kansai.

It will have a great impact on the assessment of all the employees working here as well.

In order to do that, we need another 500 million in sales.

Am I wrong?

Nishi Osaka Steel

just happens to have a need for a large amount of cash.

Go talk to them and finalize the deal.

Did you actually see President Higashida?

- Yes. - No matter how many times

- we went, he wouldn't see us. - Is that right?

- That wasn't the case with me. - Manager.

Forgive me for underestimating your abilities.

I think we can put Nakanishi-kun in charge now.

Manager, this is only Nakanishi's second year.

- Don't you think it's too much for him? - I don't think so.

To the contrary, a major first-class company like that

Loan Section

Kakuta

Kakiuchi

Nakanishi

will be a better learning experience for him than a small business.

Chief Hanzawa, please back him up.

It's part of your job to nurture your subordinates too.

Nishi Osaka Steel

Excuse me.

We're from Tokyo Chuo Bank. Is President Higashida...

Park there. The office is to the left there.

We've been waiting 20 minutes already.

Thank you for waiting. Please follow me to the President's office.

I'm Hanzawa with Tokyo Chuo Bank.

Nishi Osaka Steel President Higashida Mitsuru

I'm Nakanishi. Pleased to meet you.

Bankers' business cards. All they do is pile up.

So, what do you want today?

Well, our branch manager...uh...

We heard from our Manager Asano that you may be interested in getting a loan.

Ah, you mean the operating capital.

He insisted so I just said I'll listen to what you guys have to say.

I haven't decided yet.