Internet financial giants "SBI Holdings" and "Kyushu Electric Power" are supporting the digitization of gift certificates and local currencies issued by local governments, etc., in order to revitalize local consumption, which is declining due to the influence of the new coronavirus. We have decided to jointly establish a new company.
According to the people concerned, SBI Holdings and Kyushu Electric Power will establish a new company next month in collaboration with Chikuho Bank in Fukuoka Prefecture, in which SBI has a stake.
This company provides local governments and business and industry associations with services that support the digitization of "premium gift certificates" and "local currencies."
In addition to making it easier to receive gift certificates and make payments when shopping, the aim is to stimulate consumption by providing information on products and services that users are interested in. ..
Three companies, including SBI, have been involved in the digitization of regional gift certificates in some local governments in Fukuoka Prefecture, and have concluded comprehensive cooperation agreements in this field.
While local consumption is declining due to the impact of the new coronavirus, we anticipate that there will be an increasing need for consumption stimulus measures that allow non-contact payments, and we would like to expand similar services nationwide by leveraging the establishment of a new company.
Regarding the digitization of gift certificates and local currencies, NTT DATA and others started services last month, and competition is likely to intensify.