Aomori Michinoku Bank to Introduce 'BM Portal,' a Business Matching Management Service for Financial Institutions

Kokopelli Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shigeru Kondo, hereinafter 'Kokopelli') announces that Aomori Michinoku Bank (Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture; President and Director: Keitaro Ishikawa, hereinafter 'Aomori Michinoku Bank') has decided to introduce 'BM Portal,' a business matching management service for financial institutions.

This service is a platform that centrally manages financial institutions' business matching operations online.

Background of the Introduction

Financial institutions currently engage in business matching activities as part of supporting their corporate clients' digital transformation (DX) and core business operations. These activities involve introducing services or products from partner companies to address specific client challenges. However, such operations often rely heavily on individual staff members' practices, leading to insufficient sharing of case information and expertise within the institution.

To resolve these issues, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the quality of client-specific proposals, Aomori Michinoku Bank has decided to introduce 'BM Portal.'

Features and Functions of BM Portal

Business Matching Mechanism

In financial institution-led business matching, services that solve client challenges are identified from multiple partner companies, followed by introductions and arrangement of negotiations. Currently, due to insufficient digital transformation, information exchange in this process incurs high management costs, and service selection often depends on individual staff expertise.

BM Portal addresses these challenges, enabling efficient and effective matching operations. Centralized information management and real-time progress tracking accelerate negotiations, improve efficiency, and increase closing rates. Additionally, significant benefits are provided to both client and partner companies. Previously, consent forms and invoices had to be created on paper and delivered in person or by mail to bank staff. With BM Portal, these procedures are completed online, drastically reducing administrative burdens.

Key Features of BM Portal

- Management of Partner Company Service Information

Client needs can be registered as demand data, allowing staff to search for relevant services or products offered by partner companies.

- Digitalization of Introduction Consent Forms

Consent forms for sharing information with partner companies can be created and internally approved online, achieving paperless operations and streamlining procedures while reducing workload.

- Progress Management of Business Matching Cases

Prevents case duplication and enables visualization of progress, minimizing operational oversights and enabling more strategic and efficient matching proposals.

- Systematization of Business Matching Knowledge and Case Studies

Captures previously individual-dependent expertise into a centralized database, enabling all bank employees to make optimal proposals using a shared knowledge environment.

- Flexible Workflow Functionality

Built-in workflow functions incorporating managerial approval processes support rapid decision-making, prevent delays or missed approvals, and ensure smooth operations.

- Unified Invoice Issuance Function

Manages the entire process from deal closure to invoice generation within a single system. Supports efficient accounting operations and smooth transactions, with customizable invoice templates.

Future Outlook

BM Portal will continue to support the operational efficiency of financial institutions' business matching activities, while striving for further service improvements and functional enhancements, including AI-powered case recommendation features.

Currently, BM Portal's introduction has been decided or is under consideration by multiple other financial institutions, with plans to gradually expand its deployment nationwide.

Additionally, Kokopelli has developed and operated 'Big Advance,' a business support platform for SMEs, for approximately eight years, facilitating over 200,000 business meetings to date. As a leading company in business matching, Kokopelli will leverage its proven track record and frontline insights to continue supporting financial institutions in solving SME challenges, creating new business opportunities, and contributing to regional economic revitalization.

About Kokopelli Inc.

Name: Kokopelli Inc.

Headquarters: Kioi-cho Building 11F, 3-12 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: CEO Shigeru Kondo

Founded: June 2007

Business: Business Platform Services

URL: https://www.kokopelli-inc.com/

Main Services: SME Business Support Platform 'Big Advance'

Global Business Matching Platform 'BIG ADVANCE GLOBAL'