BANKING PROFITS IN JAPAN.
The conservative policy which for many years has characterized the management of the Yokohama Specie Bank is worthy even of the best traditions of English banking, and it accounts for the very strong position to which the bank has attained, not merely in Japan, but throughout the world. The remarkable stability of the profit figures is in itself rather suggestive of English methods, of providing well for " inner reserves." Two years ago there was a slight decrease in the dividend due to the abnormal situation arising out of the banking crisis in Japan, and, although the profits for the past half-year of Yen 9,068,075 show a moderate increase compared with the corresponding half of the previous year, the directors have adopted a conservative policy, and kept the dividend at 10 per cent. per annum, preferring to increase the carry-over, the present carry-forward of Yen 8,281,611 comparing with only Yen 6,179,300 a year ago. Moreover, a further 3 million Yen has been placed to the Reserve, raising that fund to Yen 102,500,000, or over the
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