OREANDA-NEWS. Aozora Bank, Ltd., a leading Japanese commercial bank, announced its interim financial results for FY2013.

FY2013 Interim Financial Results Aozora reported consolidated net income of 24.0 billion yen, an increase of 15% year on year, representing progress of 58.4% towards the full-year forecast of 41.0 billion yen.

Shinsuke Baba, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aozora Bank commented, "In the first half of FY2013, the Japanese economy showed signs of moderate recovery, while overseas market conditions were uncertain. We recorded net income of 24.0 billion yen, a 15% year on year increase, and rema in on track to achieve our full-year earnings forecast of 41.0 billion yen. Our business groups continued to show positive progress, including the strong sale of financial products to our mass affluent retail customers and the sale of derivative-related products to our corporate and financial institution customers. Reflecting our positive results, today we announced that the second quarter dividend payment will be 3 yen per common share."

Baba concluded, "We remain committed to enhancing our corporate value through a focus on the implementation of our business model designed to achieve sustainable growth. I would like to express my gratitude to all of our stakeholders for their continuing support."

Net income was 24.0 billion yen, an increase of 3.1 billion yen, or 15.0%, year on year, reflecting growth in earnings from the sale of financial products, favorable gains from investments in limited partnerships, as well as gains from the sale of overseas investments in the first quarter of FY2013.

This result represented progress of 58.4% towards the full-year fore cast of 41.0 billion yen.