Rakuten Bank vs SBI Sumishin Net Bank
Rakuten Bank holds the stronger position because it has more than double the customer accounts and a larger deposit base than SBI Sumishin Net Bank, even though both banks face similar competitive dynamics in Japan's online banking market.
Rakuten Bank
Japan's largest online bank by deposits, wired into Rakuten's shopping and mobile ecosystem
SBI Sumishin Net Bank
Japan's internet-only bank with 8M+ accounts, now majority owned by NTT DOCOMO
Dimension by dimension
| Dimension | Rakuten Bank | SBI Sumishin Net Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Staying power of the core product | 18.08 million accounts and over Yen 12.9 trillion in deposits show a large, established customer base tied to the Rakuten ecosystem. | Over 8 million deposit accounts, a smaller base than Rakuten Bank but still substantial for an internet-only bank. |
| Exposure to AI | Core banking product is unlikely to be absorbed by AI tools. | Core banking product is unlikely to be absorbed by AI tools. |
| How easily a giant copies them | Banking license and deposit infrastructure make this hard for a new entrant to replicate quickly. | Banking license and deposit infrastructure make this hard for a new entrant to replicate quickly. |
| Pressure from rivals | SBI Shinsei Bank's sweep-deposit products are pulling deposit growth away, flagged by management as a threat. | Faces direct competition from Rakuten Bank, which already holds a larger deposit base, and from au Jibun Bank. |
| Financial footing | Deposits grew past Yen 13 trillion by December 2025, showing continued balance sheet expansion. | Non-consolidated net income rose from Yen 23,784 million in FY2024 to Yen 27,714 million in FY2025, showing a clear year over year profit gain. |
| Ownership backing | Tied closely into the Rakuten ecosystem for cross-selling and customer acquisition. | Now majority owned by NTT DOCOMO, adding a large telecom parent to its distribution reach. |
Questions people ask
- Which has more customers, Rakuten Bank or SBI Sumishin Net Bank?
- Rakuten Bank has more customers, with 18.08 million accounts compared to SBI Sumishin Net Bank's 8 million plus. Rakuten Bank's deposit base is also larger at over Yen 12.9 trillion.
- Which bank is more profitable, Rakuten Bank or SBI Sumishin Net Bank?
- The numbers available show SBI Sumishin Net Bank's non-consolidated net income grew from Yen 23,784 million in FY2024 to Yen 27,714 million in FY2025. Rakuten Bank did not report comparable net income figures, only deposit and account growth.
- Is Rakuten Bank or SBI Sumishin Net Bank at risk from AI?
- Neither bank appears at risk from AI absorbing its core product. Both are marked as unlikely to have their banking services replaced by AI tools.
- Who owns SBI Sumishin Net Bank compared to Rakuten Bank?
- SBI Sumishin Net Bank is now majority owned by NTT DOCOMO, while Rakuten Bank remains tied into the broader Rakuten ecosystem. Both structures give each bank access to a larger parent customer base.
- Which bank faces tougher competition, Rakuten Bank or SBI Sumishin Net Bank?
- Rakuten Bank faces pressure from SBI Shinsei Bank's sweep-deposit products drawing away deposit growth. SBI Sumishin Net Bank faces pressure from Rakuten Bank's larger deposit base and from au Jibun Bank, so both are under similar competitive strain.