Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Walt Disney Japan launched a new online banking service Monday using Disney characters in its interface to attract female customers and families.
The online banking service, which can be accessed by computers and mobile phones, is limited to basic functions, including checking balances, transferring money to another account or making deposits in a foreign currency.
The service, which costs 315 yen per month, also offers explanations of financial terms that users may find difficult to understand and an online business game. Users of the services can win points that can be exchanged for Disney products.
Tadachiyo Osada, head of BTMU's retail planning division, said the new service is part of the bank's strategy to reinforce its retail division using the Internet.
"Through the service, we hope customers who have not used banking services via the Internet will find it attractive," Osada said, adding the service is targeted at women in their 20s and 30s and families.
The two companies said they hope to sign up 500,000 accounts for the service in the next three years. Users need to open up a new account in the bank's Internet branch to access the service, the companies said.