Interview with Mizuko Takumi
We spoke with Mizuko Takumi, a young employee at Mizushima Shinkin Bank.
The rewards of working at a community-focused credit union
What does Mizuko see as the difference between a bank and a credit union?
Mizuko (surname omitted)
In practical terms, I think it comes down to how close we are to our customers.
For individual customers, we sometimes visit each home to collect payments, so we spend a lot of time interacting with each customer. We often have everyday conversations and receive consultations about matters unrelated to work.
By making use of that closeness and getting to know our customers well, we can offer the best proposals to suit their concerns. I think we serve as partners whom customers can consult with ease.
What do you find rewarding about your current job?
Mizuko
Above all, it’s being able to support our customers’ dreams and goals through loans and other services.
With new customers, we first start by building a relationship of trust. We visit them repeatedly and, once they get to know us, they come to us for advice on raising funds.
Our job is not to encourage every loan indiscriminately, but to make proposals that allow customers to repay without undue strain. As their partner, we strive to provide loans in a way that comes as close as possible to what our customers envision.
The moment I find it especially rewarding is when a customer I’ve supported since they started their business is able to open their own shop. I hope to continue supporting them so that one day their business can become a long-established local institution.
Have customers ever said anything that made you happy?
Mizuko
I was happy when someone told me, “I was thinking of consulting with you first, Mizuko.” It meant they thought of me right away as someone they could rely on. It made me truly feel that all my hard work had been worthwhile.
You handle a wide range of tasks. What do you find challenging?
Mizuko
There’s a lot to keep up with, including updating my financial knowledge, staying on top of current affairs, and gathering local information, and sometimes it feels challenging.
Customers sometimes ask me for the latest information, such as, “What’s happening with interest rates?” or “What do you think of the current policies?” They also ask local questions like, “Can you recommend a good local lunch spot?” I want to stay close to our customers, so I need to keep informed across a wide range of fields.
I always have to stay alert, which can be demanding, but if I’m going to talk with customers, I want to take an interest in every subject.
Do you have any tips for remembering things?
Mizuko
For financial knowledge, I make a point of learning little by little by taking the correspondence courses offered by Mizushima Shinkin Bank as part of its training, and by looking up information I get from newspapers and customers.
I’d like to build up knowledge across different fields and do my best to make conversations enjoyable for customers, too.
How the reality after joining overturned expectations
Was there a gap between what you expected before joining and what you found afterward?
Mizuko
The staff were more friendly and relaxed with one another than I had imagined.
Before joining, I didn’t have many opportunities to visit banks, so I had a somewhat stiff image of financial institutions. But the person in charge of recruitment whom I met during the hiring process was friendly and enthusiastic, which changed my impression.
After I actually joined, I found that many of the staff were energetic and warm, which was a pleasant surprise. Of course, we handle people’s money, so we maintain a clear distinction between work and breaks, but everyone is easy to talk to and the whole workplace is cheerful. In a good way, we might not seem like typical bank employees.
Customers sometimes tell us, “Everyone at Mizushima Shinkin Bank looks you in the eye and greets you,” and “Your service makes people feel warm.” That makes me happy.
It sounds like there are many considerate people. What is the atmosphere like at your current workplace?
Mizuko
I’ve worked at both the Fukuda Branch and Kotobukicho Branch, and at both, staff feel comfortable sharing their opinions with one another.
My seniors and supervisors make an effort to ensure that younger employees like me can speak up, and they listen to us sincerely, so communicating is never difficult. I think it’s an open and welcoming workplace.
In particular, we actively share ideas within the branch for improvements that could make our work more efficient.
Can you give an example of an improvement that was actually made?
Mizuko
When customer-facing staff take cash out with them on visits, there’s a checklist recording who is taking cash, when, and where. People used to submit the checklist at different times, so a staff member responsible for managing deposits suggested that everyone submit it at the same time, and that change was made.
It may seem like a small change, but with labor shortages becoming more serious, it’s important to improve work efficiency even a little, so all the staff work together on improvements.
Festivals, volunteering, and Mizushima Shinkin Bank’s unique contributions to the community
What makes you feel that you work for a financial institution rooted in the community?
Mizuko
What makes me feel it most is community contribution activities, such as taking part in festivals and volunteering.
At the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival and Mizushima Port Festival, employees aged 25 and under take the lead each year and participate as a dance group. We also help run the events, handling traffic arrangements and reception, among other tasks.
We also help people who run children’s cafeterias and host Challenge Work, a workplace experience program for junior high school students. We make an effort to actively engage with the community beyond the scope of our regular work.
Does the head office provide information about these local activities?
Mizuko
We usually get information from the head office’s Community Co-Creation Department. Sometimes customers tell us directly about events, too, and we’ve helped customers with their stalls.
Once, I heard that a customer I work with would be taking part in an event in the Bikan Historical Area, so I told them, “Please let me know if you need a hand.” I went and helped out on the day.
I think being able to connect with local people outside of work, too, is something unique to Mizushin, which is rooted in the community.
Valuing the opportunity to find a workplace where you can be yourself
What message would you like to share with young people of your generation?
Mizuko
I’m now in my fifth year at the bank and gradually taking on a mid-level role at work. As I’ve gotten used to the job, I’ve been able to do more, but I’ve also run into new challenges when changing departments or moving to a new stage in my career.
I feel like worries and anxieties never really go away while you’re working. I’m sure people around my age feel the same way.
That’s why I hope we can keep working hard together, finding our own ways to work for the long term—whether that means talking to trusted colleagues or supervisors, or regularly unwinding in our personal lives.
If you’re currently unsure about changing jobs or choosing a company, it might be worth taking the time to consider your options without compromising. I’m rooting for you to find a workplace where you can be yourself.
From the Writer
Through our interview with Mizuko, we got a sense of Mizushima Shinkin Bank’s sincere commitment to the community and to valuing its connections with people.
I used to have a rather cool impression of financial institutions, but Mizushima Shinkin Bank has many staff members with a warm demeanor, which has been a pleasant surprise.
Not only as a financial institution, but also as a community partner that supports people in their daily lives, it will surely continue to be there for us.
You can see Mizushima Shinkin Bank’s day-to-day activities on its Instagram, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested.
I sincerely wish Mizuko continued success in the future.
Kurashiki Work Stories Woven by Young Professionals: Back Issues
Mizushima Shinkin Bank Information
| Organization Name | Mizushima Shinkin Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | General financial services under the Shinkin Bank Act |
| Representative | Yokomizo Hiroyuki |
| Year Established | 1950 |
| Address | 8-23 Mizushima Nishitokiwa-cho, Kurashiki City (Head Office) |
| Contact | 086-446-2229 |
| Website | Mizushima Shinkin Bank Website |
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