Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi to trial streamlined billing with regional banks
TOKYO (The Japan News/ANN) - The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) is planning to conduct a trial with several regional banks in which information technology would be used to streamline the bill settlement process — a move that could lower transaction fees for companies — The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
Many of the about 3.8 million small and mid-sized companies across Japan that use promissory notes for fund settlements would likely benefit from this service.
This is the first such effort by a Japanese bank. According to sources, the trial could begin as soon as next spring. The banks aim to put the new service into practical use as quickly as possible.
Billing is a settlement method used when a company buys materials or goods from another company. For example, if Store A purchases timber from Store B, it gives Store B a promissory note for the payment of 1 million yen ($9,652). Store B takes the bill on a specified payment date to a bank and receives 1 million yen. Store A must pay the 1 million yen to its bank before that date. The bank that receives the bill takes it to a clearinghouse, where the bill is confirmed and the settlement process completed. These steps take time and manpower.
BTMU will streamline this process by using blockchain technology, a core component of virtual currency. This would enable the sharing of transaction records by multiple small computers without the need for huge capital investments. Bank costs would be reduced because bills could be settled without passing through a clearinghouse. According to the sources, the charges companies pay to banks for these bills can be expected to decrease.
The Japanese Bankers Association already operates an online system that digitally settles bills. Although it has helped reduce the costs involved in carrying bills, a major drawback is the large investment needed to run and update the system, in which big computers centrally control data and information.
By teaming up with regional banks, BTMU expects small and midsize businesses in many regions to be able to trim their transaction costs, which in turn will generate more users.
The banks are also considering enabling companies to make these transactions on smartphones.