日本語 
The Chugoku Bank, Ltd. and Hitachi, Ltd. have started a joint initiative to embed AI agents directly into lending operations. Not as a side tool. As part of the actual workflow.
The goal is autonomous business processes across loan operations. From analysis to decision making to optimization. Tasks that have traditionally depended on manual checks and individual judgment are now being tested with AI agents layered in and connected across systems. The projection is serious. At least 10,000 work hours reduced per year to start, with the potential to reach tens of thousands as scope expands.
Chugoku Bank has already been using Hitachi’s Loan DX Service since July 2023 to digitize lending. Now they are taking it further. In January 2026, both sides formed a joint project team to test real world application of AI agents across three heavy workload areas. Drafting internal opinions for credit approvals. Post contract administrative work at loan execution. Financial analysis during monitoring.
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In credit approvals, the AI agent pulls from past knowledge, flags risks based on industry and loan purpose, and prepares structured draft documents. That reduces oversight risk, standardizes quality, and shortens processing time. It also visualizes the reasoning behind outputs, which supports knowledge transfer inside the bank.
A business management agent oversees each process, coordinating multiple specialized agents. These agents work with structured internal data and unstructured materials like attachments and manuals to improve accuracy.
Hitachi plans to roll out these AI agent capabilities as part of its Lending DX Service from April 2026, expanding gradually to other financial institutions. Longer term, the scope could extend beyond corporate lending to personal loans, inheritance, and business succession.
The intent is clear. Free up human capacity for direct client engagement and higher value advisory work, while AI handles repeatable judgment heavy processes inside the system.
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