Obihiro Shinkin Bank (Head Office: Obihiro City, Hokkaido; Chairman: Masamitsu Nakata) and Pharm Consulting Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Sapporo City, Hokkaido; President: Yusuke Miyai, hereinafter "Pharm Consulting") signed an "AI Promotion Partnership Agreement" on June 2, 2026, with the aim of promoting DX (Digital Transformation) in the region. This partnership will combine Obihiro Shinkin Bank's strong customer base with Pharm Consulting's expertise in AI talent development and system construction. They will jointly provide "supportive guidance" to local client companies, offering comprehensive assistance from basic AI utilization education to practical implementation and system construction, thereby contributing to the economic revitalization of the Tokachi region and the improvement of productivity for local businesses. ■ "All for Tokachi" – Strengthening AI Utilization and Consulting Functions Under its medium-term management plan "Connect & Create ~Connecting and Creating the Potential of Tokachi~," Obihiro Shinkin Bank has been broadly engaged in supporting the core businesses of regional companies, including financial support, subsidy utilization, business succession/M&A support, human resource matching, and sales channel development. In recent years, advancements in AI and digital technologies have greatly expanded the possibilities for supporting regional companies in addressing challenges such as labor shortages and improving operational efficiency and labor saving. In light of these environmental changes, the bank has entered into a partnership with Pharm Consulting, which excels in practical AI utilization and DX promotion, to further enhance its core business support and bolster the sustainable growth of local businesses through digital means. ■ Specific Support Details through AI Partnership Through business matching based on this partnership, Pharm Consulting will comprehensively provide the following services to Obihiro Shinkin Bank's client companies