President Nozaki Shuhei (Nozaki Shuhei Auditor of Bank / Kansayaku Nozaki Shuhei / 監査役 野崎修平)

We have to restructure Ozora...

...and have to repay the public funds as soon as possible.

I'm Kyogoku Haruki.

I came here at Ozora in order to clear my father's remorse.

This will be our new standard for evaluating...

...SME's dreams and their motivations.

You passed from my homework.

Do you know that it's already out?

It's about Kaido.

A merger?

UBJ Bank is going to merge with Teiko Marubishi.

It will be the birth of a megabank...

Merger of UBJ and Teiko Marubishi…

They're getting tougher.

Doesn't it affect much on our part?

After all, no matter where they'll stick with someone,

what they're waiting for is restructuring for branch integration.

It won't be easy to earn profits.

But,

more banks are trying to become megabanks while we still remain the same.

We should rethink of our strategies.

We'll be going on a merger?

Yes.

I'm not interested in making it bigger.

What's more important is whether the merger really helps our customers...

...and whether it will contribute for generation of revenues.

Just because we want to survive,

your conception of growing big in a reckless way is not justifiable.

What's all in there...

...is just for self-protection, honor and greed.

It doesn't consider customers' perspective.

I've just been expanding our customers' base,

and a scale is necessary against the physical strength of bad debts disposals.

It should be beneficial for the customers in the long run.

The only way for Ozora to survive is to go on merger.

Megabank and restructuring are two sides of the same coin.

This will surely motivate bank clerks.

Large banks benefited only...

...during the age of convoy system.

Bank proprietors who still want to expand their size...

...were still under the illusion of the past.

Rather than expanding,

I think it's more important to improve the quality.

Excuse me.

President.

It's a call from President Kamijo of Myojo Capital Bank.

He wants to see you.

A prominent mega bank was born,

thus, other banks are starting to look for merger material.

Taxes are invested for nationalization,

and Ozora who advances to dispose its bad debts...

...would be the best pair candidate.

The remaining three megabanks are...

...Myojo Capital Bank,

Hanayume,

and Shiki.

Well, anyways,

the financial map changes drastically no matter where they stick.

Many have been eyeing...

...of Ozora Bank's revival and become a megabank.

Yes.

I'll be asking for your support, senior.

As you know,

Myojo Capital Bank...

...have merged with Yotsuba Bank...

...and together with Hikari Bank.

From there,

we would like Ozora bank...

...to join with us as well.

Were you being influenced by the Teiko Marubishi and UBJ?

It's being said that it won't affect us.

Can we look for other ways,

rather than becoming a megabank?

Getting off from the competition is easy.

Like what happened to Ozora Bank before.

But, as a result,

what do you think will happen?

Haven't you declined Myojo Capital Bank's invitation, right?

We still haven't made any discussions.

Why is that so?

He is criticized for one-man management,

and he is the one who kicked out my father,

so don't you think it's called that way?

What about you, Managing Director?

Regarding the merger.

Please try to give some consideration.

I think...

...that the merger between of UBJ and Teiko Maruhishi is a chance for Ozora.

One may get fed up from just being a small bank,

so one aims for it to be a megabank.

But if you don't have such aspiration, there is no point being a banker.

That's reassuring.

The FSA's bureau director of inspections was also worried.

That Ozora is just fine not to undergo merger.

I'm your former boss.

I'm also your university senior.

You wanted to see me too,

isn't it?

To be frank, three years after nationalization,

it was really you who was able to manage it with your capabilities.

How about...

...trying to meet with the bureau director once again?

Tachikawa-san,

what are your perceptions for Ozora's future management?

I'm in a tough situation.

I understand President Nozaki's ideals.

But in this state, Ozora itself is at risk for survival...

...even before his ideal is realized.

I was troubled.

What will you do, Tachikawa-san?

When you become the president,

what measures are you going to take?

For instance?

Well...

Cutting off cost must be made urgent.

We can't increase commission income while interest rates rise.

What about the merger?

We should go with it.

I think now is the perfect opportunity.

I see.

I'll be leaving it to you, Tachikawa-san.

Nozaki-kun is not considerate.

I'm with you.

Then, I'm leaving.

Then, I'm asking for your favor.

What are your aims?

My aims?

Bureau Director Yamada elevated two people, including me.

You must planning for something, right?

I want to expand the Ozora like what you're aiming for.

That's it.

Here, please.

You want to make the Ozora bigger and eventually make it your own, right?

So why not just use me?

You can also use me.

Want to join hands together?

Let me think about that.

The bank that merged with us can remain as a megabank.

So, we have the right to decide?

That means we'll play a part of the megabank?

Ozora used to be number one in Tokyo.

It's revival of the tradition!

Right!

Do you really want it to become a megabank?

It looks like so.

Bankers basically have big aspirations,

but we have missed the merger race,

even the chance to make it has came around.

Wouldn't that be a pleasure?

We may able to jump upon but at the end...

...only fierce competition and restructuring awaits.

From what I heard,

Myojo Capital Bank...

...seems to be in a terrible state due to former Yotsuba and Hikari...

...fighting for hegemony.

Actually, I have a friend from the Myojo Capital Bank.

They got involved in the hegemony confrontation,

and in the end, the affiliate got skipped over.

As expected.

President,

like from other megabanks,

do we have any consultations for the merger?

Some articles about that are coming soon.

Whether we don't know where it came from,

we should be able to prepare ourselves from those.

Ozora doesn't intend to merge with any megabank.

So, everyone, I won't report about this anymore.

You're being too nasty.

Regardless of whether or not we'll actually going for a merger,

I think we should be open-minded and consider the information.

What do you think, Managing Director Tachikawa?

I think the same too.

At least, the committee members are trying...

...to create ways then select what's better in order to provide path for Ozora.

I think it's a worthwhile project to consider.

I agree.

I understood.

Then, let's set up a committee...

...and simulate the merger.

However,

please note...

...that this is just viewed as a reference.

I'm the planning officer in-charge,

it is okay to also the selection of personnel?

No, thank you.

Is that okay?

Anyways,

Tachikawa has joined on their side promoting the merger.

I mean,

recently, Tachikawa seems to be close to Director Kyogoku.

Maybe, they're trying to do something unusual...

That's too much.

No...

Please excuse me.

Yes. Nozaki speaking.

What?

Customers' information were leaked.

Is that true?

There's no doubt.

From wealthy persons' information,