Corporate Information

History

1954-1970s
1980-1990s
2000-2010s
2020s-

1954-1970s

Year	Month	Overview and major business developments
1954	December	Hiroshima Coupon established Started out as an issuer of coupon certificates Orico’s credit card originated in 1954 in the form of coupon certificates Information on coupon certificates Started out as an issuer of coupon certificates Orico’s credit card originated in 1954 in Hiroshima in the form of coupon certificates. “Hiroshima Prefecture Labor-Commerce Cooperative” produced the coupon certificates, which the company then issued upon seeking new members and conducting credit reviews similarly to the credit card business now. What is a coupon certificate? Books of coupons available from around 1945 to 1955 The term “coupon certificates” includes passenger tickets that are paired with accommodation vouchers, gift certificates, vouchers for complimentary goods and services, discount coupons, and there are manufacturer-issued coupons and store-issued coupons (source: “Dictionary of IT Terms / Loan Words and Acronyms,” published by SHUEISHA Inc.). The term “coupon certificates” includes various ticket booklets, passes, and through tickets with reservation. The consumer credit industry adopted coupon-based arrangements as a means of facilitating credit sales from around 1945 to 1955. This approach was later replaced by credit cards. (source: “Dictionary of Credit and Financial Terms,” published by the Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc.) Types of coupon certificates of that era Coupon books Books of coupons available from around 1945 to 1955 Orico’s coupon certificates were issued in a single booklet of tickets in ¥100, ¥200, and ¥500 denominations. When shopping, customers would detach coupons whose value was equivalent to the cost of their purchases. Coupons of the era equivalent with the amount of no more than ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 could be used over the span of three months. Checkbook-type coupons Checkbook-type coupons available from around 1960 to 1974 In later years, the certificates were provided in booklets containing numerous checkbook-type coupons. When paying for merchandise, a customer would write the value to be redeemed and circle the desired number of installments in columns on the face of the coupon. These coupons could be used for an amount of up to ¥10,000 over the span of three months.
1961	August	Established Hiroshima Credit Sales Co., Ltd. Initiated financing services upon having formed a business partnership with Hiroshima Coupon.
1967	May	Trading name changed to Hiroshima Consumer Credit Co., Ltd.
1969	April	Initiated consumer credit (installment sales finance) business
	November	Initiated credit card issuance services upon having taken over all business relating to installment sales services (credit card shopping) constituting the main operations of Hiroshima Coupon.
	November	Launch of credit cards November 1969, started issuing credit cards as Hiroshima Consumer Credit Co., Ltd. Information on credit card issuance Launch of credit cards In November 1969, Hiroshima Consumer Credit Co., Ltd. issued its own proper credit card Orient Card, after the company previously issued its first credit card. Orient Finance subsequently began issuing various types of credit cards. “The various conveniences provided by Orient Finance” Television commercials featuring Japanese actress Kayoko Kishimoto and the catchphrase “the various conveniences provided by Orient Finance” were popular at the time. Payment over as many as 20 installments Orient Finance’s Finance Card appealed to consumers because it could be used throughout Orient Finance’s sales territory encompassing Chugoku region and major cities nationwide in Japan. Also, consumers were able to make payments over as many as 20 installments, which was in contrast to bank-affiliated credit cards of other companies that allowed only for payment in a single installment. The Finance Card also offered discounts at bowling alleys, movie theaters, hair salons and other such establishments.
1970	May	Co-branded credit cards In 1970, began issuing co-branded credit cards involving tie-ups with financial institutions, department stores and other such entities. Information on co-branded credit cards Co-branded credit cards In 1970, the company began issuing co-branded credit cards involving tie-ups with financial institutions, department stores and other such entities. In addition to using co-branded credit cards when shopping at participating merchants featuring the company’s logo mark, consumers were also able to take advantage of cash advance services by presenting the credit card along with a “Cashing Book” (cash advance booklet) to a cash advance teller at a participating financial institution.
1971	October	Started offering credit guarantee services
1972	October	Started offering cash advance services
	October	Credit cards and Cashing Books (cash advance booklets) Cash advance services were initiated in 1972, whereby customers were able to arrange cash advances by presenting their Cashing Book (cash advance booklet) along with their credit card to a cash advance teller. Information on credit cards and the Cashing Book (cash advance booklet) Credit cards and Cashing Books (cash advance booklets) Cash advance services of the 1970s were different from those available online nowadays. In those days, a cardholder could arrange a cash advance of between ¥10,000 to ¥100,000 by presenting his or her credit card and the Cashing Book (cash advance booklet) to a cash advance teller. Such tellers were widely available at locations such as headquarters and branch offices of consumer credit companies, and also at major commercial banks and credit unions. Borrowers were able to repay cash advances in equal installments over a period of up to ten months, with such arrangements made at their discretion.
	December	Relocated the head office to a new location in Naka-ku, Hiroshima City upon completing construction of new head office building
1974	April	Changed trading name upon having merged with Orient Finance Co., Ltd. (established in 1951) with the aim of changing the par value of the stock.
1974	October	Listed on Hiroshima Stock Exchange
1976	October	Listed on Second Section of Osaka Securities Exchange
1977	January	Started offering housing loan services as a part of the credit guarantee services.
1977	October	Listed on Second Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
1978	April	Relocated the head office organization to Toshima-ku, Tokyo
1978	November	Started offering auto loan services as a part of the credit guarantee services
1979	September	Upgraded to the First Section of both Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange

1980-1990s

Year	Month	Overview and major business developments
1981	February	Launch of issuance of international credit cards In 1981, started issuing Mastercard, credit cards exclusively for overseas use over a limited period of time, upon application by cardholders traveling abroad Information on issuance of international credit cards Launch of issuance of international credit cards Cardholders in Japan were not able to use their credit cards when overseas in those days, unlike the credit cards of today. Likewise, Orico Cards were valid for use only at participating merchants featuring the Orient logo in Japan, given that they were not an international brand such as today’s Mastercard and Visa credit cards. It became possible for cardholders to use their cards overseas after Orico started issuing international credit cards upon partnering with Mastercard International.
1981	March	Launch of issuance of cash advance cards Started issuing the “Personal Loan Card” exclusively for revolving repayment Information on cash advance cards Launch of issuance of cash advance cards Orico began issuing the “Personal Loan Card” exclusively for revolving repayment. Nowadays, we issue the CREST card for enabling holders to arrange cash advance online or by telephone 24 hours a day, in partnership with banks and post offices nationwide.
1983	June	Shift to credit cards with a magnetic stripe The “Finance Card” had simply been made of plastic. In 1983, began issuing credit cards with a magnetic stripe
	October	Zodiac sign on credit cards In 1987, began issuing the “Zodiac Sign Credit Card,” which was the brainchild of an Orient Finance employee
	November	Started offering services for guaranteeing consumer loans of financial institutions as a part of the credit guarantee services
1985	November	Established Orico Business & Communications Co., Ltd.
1989	January	Started issuing the Orico UC Mastercard
	July	Started issuing the Orico UC Visa credit card and the Orico JCB credit card
	October	Changed trading name to Orient Corporation About the company name and logo
1991	March	Constructed the Tsurugashima Building for use in office automation training
1992	April	Became first in the industry to launch service for guaranteeing fee collection
1993	November	Became first in the industry to adopt credit securitization pursuant to the Act on Regulation of Specified Claims
1994	January	Adopted new company logo featuring the name “Orico”
1995	April	Established the Basic Principle: “We value our relationships of trust and aim to act as a company that contributes to society by enabling customers to have a fulfilling life.”
1996	September	Conducted the first issuance of asset-backed securities (ABS) in Japan
1998	January	Became the first in the industry to offer credit card enrollment online
1999	January	Embarked on servicing business upon establishing Japan Collection Service Co., Ltd.
	January	Constructed head office annex building housing the IT Center
	February	Began handling acquiring services involving Mastercard
	September	Launched the Orico Mall online shopping platform

2000-2010s

Year	Month	Overview and major business developments
2000	April	Started issuing the Orico Gold Mastercard
2000	September	Relocated head office to Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (present location) upon completing construction of new head office building
2001	October	Exceeded 10 million cardholders
2002	December	Began to handle “Back Up Selefty” auto loans which was the industry’s first deferred auto loan with a residual value guarantee
2003	July	Launch of Orico Card UPty Began accepting enrollment in Orico Card UPty offering revolving credit and flexible repayment options
2004	March	Established loan servicing company ORIFA Servicer Corporation
2004	July	Reached agreement with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. to enter into a comprehensive business alliance in the retail sector
2005	February	Reached agreement with ITOCHU Corporation to enter into a capital and business alliance
2005	April	Assumed the unsecured personal loan guarantee business for Mizuho Bank, Ltd. from UC CARD Co., Ltd.
2006	November	Assumed credit business section of Rakuten KC Co., Ltd.
2007	March	Established CAL Credit Guarantee Co., Ltd.
	March	The name ITOCHU Insurance Services Co., Ltd. was changed to ITOCHU Orico Insurance Services Co., Ltd. upon Orico taking a stake in the company.
	August	Changed share listing to the Second Section of both Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange
2008	March	Started operation of the AURORA authorization system jointly with Credit Saison Co., Ltd. and Qubitous Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of UC CARD Co., Ltd.
	March	Established Orico Auto Leasing Co., Ltd.
	July	Began offering the “atoribo” (retroactive revolving credit) service for cardholders
	October	Introduction of designer credit cards Launched credit cards with distinctive design under the concept “Card you would want to show off, making your personality shine through”
2010	September	Orient Corporation becomes an associate accounted for using the equity method of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
2011	March	Returned to the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
2011	May	Delisted from Second Section of Osaka Securities Exchange
2014	June	Started issuing Orico Card THE POINT
	December	The 60th anniversary of our founding
	December	Devised the brand slogan
2015	April	Established Orico Business Leasing Co., Ltd.
2015	May	Established Orico Auto Leasing (Thailand) Ltd. and started auto loan business in Thailand
2016	August	Began handling business involving Alipay e-payment services geared toward Chinese visitors to Japan
2016	October	Began handling business involving Apple Pay e-payment services
2017	January	Started issuing “Mizuho Mileage Club Card/THE POINT” in partnership with Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
2017	October	Made Orico Forrent Insure Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orient Corporation
2018	August	Released new core system
2018	October	Began handling business involving WeChat Pay e-payment services geared toward Chinese visitors to Japan
2019	May	Capital participation in LINE Credit
2019	September	Established Orico Auto Finance Philippines Inc. , Started auto loan business in the Philippines

2020s-

Year	Month	Overview and major business developments
2021	March	Acquired an Indonesian auto loan company and changed its name to PT Orico Balimor Finance
2022	April	Moved to the "Prime Market," a new market segment of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
2022	June	Transitioned from a company with a board of corporate auditors to a company with Audit & Supervisory Committee