Japanese banks and other financial institutions are trying to lure individual customers by offering weekend consultation services to make up for dwindling lending to corporate clients.
With such slogans as "Take your time," these lenders are offering one-hour tailored consultation by special advisers on weekends to visitors who cannot afford time on weekdays but want to get advice on mortgages and pensions.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. launched an SMBC consulting plaza in March at six outlets in Tokyo and Osaka, which are open weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in addition to weekdays.