Line Corp. is betting that tie-ups with Japan's biggest financial institutions will help convince its 78 million users to entrust the free texting app with their money.

The operator of Japan's most popular messaging platform plans to introduce the Line Securities equities trading service jointly with the country's biggest brokerage, Nomura Holdings Inc., this year, provided it receives the necessary government permits, Tetsuhiko Saito, who heads Line's financial arm, said in an interview in Tokyo.

A banking service offered in partnership with mega-bank Mizuho Financial Group Inc. could become available as early as fall 2020, Saito said.