Press Conference by the Commissioner

(Excerpt)

January 19 , 2004

Q.

What is your opinion on the relisting of the Shinsei Bank? Also, how do you intend to handle the preferred stocks still held by the Government in the future?

A.

The listing of the Shinsei Bank is examined and approved by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) regards the re-listing of the Shinsei Bank as one of the steps towards its reconstruction. In that sense, the FSA welcomes it. However, we will continuously check the activities of the Shinsei Bank properly to ensure the enhancement of its profitability and management base steadily, because it is still a recipient of public funds. When we think about our stance as regards how to collect of the public funds, we have to carefully examine overall performance of the Shinsei Bank.