The top six banking groups' record profits from 2005 are being criticized not only by customers who have put up with years of bad service and token interest rates, but also regional banks seriously affected by their advances.

Their combined net profits in the business year that ended in March reached 3.12 trillion yen, or 4.3 times that of the previous year, due to a business recovery and massive government bailouts to help the debt-ridden banks' "restoration."

Although the banks' priority is improving their profitability, which is still weak, public pressure is expected to intensify.