# Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō
**Wikidata**: [Q111360857](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111360857)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hyogo-ken-noko-ginko

## Summary
Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō was a Japanese bank established on March 31, 1898, as a subsidiary of Nōkō Ginkō. It operated until its merger into Nihon Kangyō Ginkō on March 25, 1937, playing a role in regional financial services during its nearly 40-year existence. The bank’s history is documented in archival sources, including its official opening on July 1, 1898.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: March 31, 1898.
- **Parent Organization**: Nōkō Ginkō.
- **Operated Until**: Merged into Nihon Kangyō Ginkō on March 25, 1937.
- **Official Opening Date**: July 1, 1898.
- **Wikidata Item**: Q111360902 (described in Japanese Wikipedia).
- **Source Reference**: Archived details available at http://www.opac1.com/bank/detail.php?bcd=4641.
- **Category**: Functioned as a regional bank in Japan’s early 20th-century financial system.

## FAQs
**When was Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō established and dissolved?**  
The bank was founded on March 31, 1898, and ceased operations on March 25, 1937, when it merged into Nihon Kangyō Ginkō.  

**What was its relationship to other financial institutions?**  
It was a subsidiary of Nōkō Ginkō and later absorbed into Nihon Kangyō Ginkō, reflecting consolidation trends in Japan’s banking sector during the early 20th century.  

**Where can I find historical records about this bank?**  
Details are documented in archival sources such as http://www.opac1.com/bank/detail.php?bcd=4641 and the Japanese Wikipedia page “農工銀行” (Nōkō Ginkō).  

## Why It Matters
Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō represents a fragment of Japan’s pre-WWII banking history, illustrating the evolution of financial institutions during a period of industrialization and economic restructuring. Its merger into a larger entity highlights the broader trend of financial consolidation aimed at stabilizing the national economy. The bank’s archival documentation ensures its legacy as a case study in regional banking practices of the era.

## Notable For
- **Founding Year**: Established in 1898, a critical period for Japan’s modernization.
- **Corporate Genealogy**: Part of the Nōkō Ginkō network and a precursor to Nihon Kangyō Ginkō.
- **Archival Documentation**: Detailed historical records trace its operational timeline and dissolution.
- **Regional Focus**: Served as a localized financial institution in Hyogo Prefecture before national consolidation efforts.

## Body

### Founding and Operations
Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō was formally established on **March 31, 1898**, with operations commencing on **July 1, 1898**. As a subsidiary of **Nōkō Ginkō**, it operated within Japan’s expanding financial infrastructure during the Meiji and Taisho periods. The bank’s activities were tied to regional economic development, though specific services or notable transactions are not detailed in surviving records.

### Corporate Structure and Dissolution
The bank functioned under the parent organization **Nōkō Ginkō** until its dissolution. On **March 25, 1937**, it was merged into **Nihon Kangyō Ginkō** (Japan Industrial Bank), a state-backed financial institution. This merger aligned with national policies aimed at consolidating smaller banks to bolster financial stability amid economic challenges. The absorption marked the end of Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō’s independent operations, integrating its assets into a larger financial entity.

### Historical Documentation
Key archival references include:
- **Website**: http://www.opac1.com/bank/detail.php?bcd=4641 (provides foundational dates and merger details).
- **Japanese Wikipedia**: The bank is referenced in the context of Nōkō Ginkō’s history, accessible at https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%BE%B2%E5%B7%A5%E9%8A%80%E8%A1%8C.
- **Wikidata**: Linked to entity **Q111360902**, which categorizes the bank’s role in Japan’s financial history.

### Legacy
Hyogo-ken Nōkō Ginkō’s existence reflects the dynamic nature of Japan’s banking sector in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While its individual impact may have been localized, its merger into a national institution underscores its contribution to the broader narrative of financial modernization. The bank’s documented timeline serves as a reference point for scholars examining organizational changes in pre-war Japanese finance.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.opac1.com/bank/detail.php?bcd=4641)