IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a nine-year strategic outsourcing agreement with Chugoku Bank, a major Japanese regional bank.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO)

As part of the agreement, IBM will manage operations and maintenance of Chugoku Bank's information technology (IT) systems, including host computer and servers. A primary goal of the IT services provided by IBM is to enable the bank to enhance client experiences with secure and stable services for customers. At the same time, IBM will optimize business efficiencies for Chugoku Bank by stabilizing and streamlining the IT systems and reducing IT costs for the bank.

IBM was selected by Chugoku Bank as its outsourcing partner based on rich experiences and achievements in operation and maintenance of information systems. IBM will introduce best practices and enhance governance of Chugoku Bank based on its broad experiences in operating and managing business processes and information systems.

The contract was signed in October 2009.

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Media Contact Kazuhiro Kaneko Tara Sucato IBM External Communications (Japan) IBM Media Relations (U.S.) 03-3808-4770 917-472-3701 kazk@jp.ibm.com tjsucato@us.ibm.com

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