Kyo Bank and NTT DX Partner Launch Joint Initiative to Build the 'Kyo DX Platform' Supporting Digital Transformation for Local Enterprises

NTT DX Partner Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO, Takashi Abe) has partnered with Kyo Bank Co., Ltd. (Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture; President, Hiroyuki Haraguchi) to initiate the development of the 'Kyo DX Platform' (hereinafter, the Platform), a foundational system aimed at supporting digital transformation (DX) for local enterprises.

This initiative will leverage 'DXSTAR for Bank,' a corporate DX support platform developed by NTT DX Partner specifically for financial institutions, to provide one-stop digital and human resource support essential for advancing DX.

※1 DXSTAR for Bank is a comprehensive solution designed to accelerate regional DX through financial institutions. It integrates diagnostic tools that visualize and guide resolution of corporate DX challenges, learning support content, and online community functions. https://dxstar.nttdxpn.co.jp/

From left: Nobutoshi Morita (Head of DX Strategy, Kyo Bank), Norio Maruoka (Executive Managing Director and Director, Kyo Bank), Takashi Abe (President and CEO, NTT DX Partner), and So Kato (Senior Consultant, NTT DX Partner)

[Vision of the Platform]

The Platform is founded on the vision that 'Kyo Bank will serve as a regional hub, contributing to revitalizing the local economy through DX.' Emphasizing the principle of leaving no small or medium-sized enterprise behind, the Platform aims to create an inclusive environment where all businesses can engage in DX, fostering sustainable growth for regional enterprises and contributing to the broader development of the regional economy.

1. Background and Challenges

The business environment surrounding regional enterprises is undergoing significant changes due to population decline and increasingly diverse market demands. Advancing DX has become essential for adapting to these rapid changes and achieving sustainable growth. However, while the necessity of DX is widely recognized among regional businesses, progress remains limited due to shortages in skilled personnel and technical know-how.

In this context, Kyo Bank is increasingly expected to go beyond traditional financial lending and actively support regional enterprises through digital adoption and operational reforms. In Kyo Bank’s 7th Medium-Term Management Plan, DX has been positioned as a key pillar for enhancing productivity and ensuring sustainable growth across the region.

Against this backdrop, Kyo Bank has partnered with NTT DX Partner—a company with proven expertise in building and operating DX platforms—to establish the Kyo DX Platform as a comprehensive support mechanism. The goal is to deliver continuous and effective assistance to regional enterprises on a broad scale.

2. Roles of Each Organization

[Kyo Bank]

Kyo Bank will serve as the primary entity responsible for the development and operation of the Platform. Leveraging its unique network and trust-based relationships as a regional financial institution, Kyo Bank will act as a hub connecting local businesses with the Platform. Drawing on its extensive network spanning Wakayama, Osaka, and Nara prefectures, the bank will promote inter-enterprise collaboration and new value creation. It will also consolidate its accumulated expertise in business support and IT utilization onto the Platform, directly contributing to the DX advancement of regional enterprises.

[NTT DX Partner]

NTT DX Partner will serve as the implementation partner, enabling Kyo Bank to fulfill its new role as a regional hub. Specifically, the company will provide end-to-end support, including DX diagnostic tools to visualize challenges faced by regional enterprises, design and operational support for online communities, and delivery of educational content. Following the Platform’s launch, NTT DX Partner will continue to support Kyo Bank through knowledge sharing and operational best practices, ensuring sustained, hands-on assistance to regional businesses.

3. Overview of the Platform

Name

Kyo DX Platform

Operation

Kyo Bank

Planned Launch Date

October 2026 (tentative)

Target Audience

SMEs and individual entrepreneurs

Main Service Offerings

① Owned Media: Publishing interview and case study articles featuring DX initiatives and advanced practices by regional enterprises to share practical knowledge

② Event Listings

③ DX Diagnostic Tool

④ Support Services

⑤ Online Community

4. Future Outlook

The 'Regional Financial Capacity Enhancement Plan' formulated by the Financial Services Agency in December 2025 (※2) explicitly states that regional financial institutions should go beyond mere capital provision and actively promote DX among local enterprises through IT consulting and support. NTT DX Partner will support Kyo Bank’s forward-looking initiatives with its specialized expertise and accumulated know-how, responding to the growing expectations placed on regional financial institutions.

※2 Financial Services Agency: 'Regarding the Regional Financial Capacity Enhancement Plan' https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r7/20251219/20251219.html