U.S. businesses eye more opportunities in China's biz hub Shanghai

STORY: U.S. businesses eye more opportunities in China's biz hub Shanghai SHOOTING TIME: May 23, 2024 DATELINE: May 25, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:19 LOCATION: NEW YORK, U.S. CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of promotional event 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): GONG ZHENG, Shanghai Mayor 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CRAIG ALLEN, President of the U.S.-China Business Council 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): STEPHEN ORLINS, President of the National Committee of U.S.-China Relations 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): JOSEPH BRANCATO, Chairman of executive committee of Gensler STORYLINE: China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. Shanghai has been one of the first choices for world businesses to invest in China and build global indust

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

(240524) -- NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, delivers a speech at a promotion event in New York, the United States, on May 23, 2024. China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

(240524) -- NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng delivers a keynote speech at a promotion event in New York, the United States, on May 23, 2024. China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

(240524) -- NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee of U.S.-China Relations, delivers a speech at a promotion event in New York, the United States, on May 23, 2024. China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

(240524) -- NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Joseph Brancato, who chairs the executive committee of Gensler, a global design and architecture firm, delivers a speech at a promotion event in New York, the United States, on May 23, 2024. China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

U.S.-NEW YORK-SHANGHAI-INVESTMENT PROMOTION

(240524) -- NEW YORK, May 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Guests attend a promotion event in New York, the United States, on May 23, 2024. China's business hub Shanghai held a promotion event here Thursday, which drew great attention and interest from investors in the United States. The event has gathered around 150 attendees, including high-ranking officials, bankers, entrepreneurs from Shanghai, and scores of business leaders of international companies from the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Türkiye's central bank reserves record historic high

STORY: Türkiye's central bank reserves record historic high SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage DATELINE: Dec. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:38 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Turkish Central Bank (courtesy of the Turkish Central Bank) STORYLINE: The total reserves of the Turkish central bank reached a historic high of 136.49 billion U.S. dollars as of the end of last week, according to the data announced by the bank on Thursday. Among the reserves, 90.99 billion dollars were foreign currency reserves while 45.49 billion were gold reserves. Since May, the bank's total gross reserves surged 38.35 billion dollars, or 38.6 percent. There has been an upward momentum in the bank's reserves since June. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed former banker Hafize Gaye Erkan as central bank governor and Mehmet Simsek as the head of the Treasury and Finance Ministry in June. Both bankers were considered market-friendly figures. The bank had previously implemented a policy o

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network. Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; Matsuo Tsuji.=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network. From left to right: Kenichi Kobayashi, Secretary General and General Manager of Operations Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; Matsuo Tsuji.=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network. From left to right: Kenichi Kobayashi, Secretary General and General Manager of Operations Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; Matsuo Tsuji, Chairman of Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; and Yuichi Chiba, Director of Planning Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network.=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network. From left to right: Kenichi Kobayashi, Secretary General and General Manager of Operations Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; Matsuo Tsuji, Chairman of Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; and Yuichi Chiba, Director of Planning Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network.=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network

Press Conference on disruption of Japan's payments clearing network. From left to right: Kenichi Kobayashi, Secretary General and General Manager of Operations Department, Japan Bankers' Money Settlement Network; Matsuo Tsuji.=Date:October 18, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association

Exterior, logo, and signage for Japanese Bankers Association=Date:October 11, 2023,Place:Tokyo

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

(231010) -- MARRAKECH, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The logo of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings is pictured in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. The annual meetings opened Monday in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakech. The meetings will run from Monday through Sunday and are expected to gather more than 12,000 participants, including 190 delegations led by finance ministers and central bankers, as well as private sector executives worldwide, Morocco's national agency MAP reported. (Xinhua/Huo Jing)

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

(231010) -- MARRAKECH, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A poster of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings is pictured in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. The annual meetings opened Monday in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakech. The meetings will run from Monday through Sunday and are expected to gather more than 12,000 participants, including 190 delegations led by finance ministers and central bankers, as well as private sector executives worldwide, Morocco's national agency MAP reported. (Xinhua/Huo Jing)

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

(231010) -- MARRAKECH, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A participant walks past flags outside the venue for the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. The annual meetings opened Monday in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakech. The meetings will run from Monday through Sunday and are expected to gather more than 12,000 participants, including 190 delegations led by finance ministers and central bankers, as well as private sector executives worldwide, Morocco's national agency MAP reported. (Xinhua/Huo Jing)

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

(231010) -- MARRAKECH, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A participant walks past a billboard of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. The annual meetings opened Monday in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakech. The meetings will run from Monday through Sunday and are expected to gather more than 12,000 participants, including 190 delegations led by finance ministers and central bankers, as well as private sector executives worldwide, Morocco's national agency MAP reported. (Xinhua/Huo Jing)

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

MOROCCO-MARRAKECH-WORLD BANK GROUP-IMF-ANNUAL MEETINGS

(231010) -- MARRAKECH, Oct. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A participant takes a selfie with the logo of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. The annual meetings opened Monday in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakech. The meetings will run from Monday through Sunday and are expected to gather more than 12,000 participants, including 190 delegations led by finance ministers and central bankers, as well as private sector executives worldwide, Morocco's national agency MAP reported. (Xinhua/Huo Jing)

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gives a speech at the Economic Club of New York, a group of top business executives and bankers, in New York on Sept. 21, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gives a speech at the Economic Club of New York, a group of top business executives and bankers, in New York on Sept. 21, 2023.

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japan PM Kishida at economic meeting in New York

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gives a speech at the Economic Club of New York, a group of top business executives and bankers, in New York on Sept. 21, 2023.

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkey's Lira Hits New Record Low

Turkish lira banknotes are seen in this illustration taken in Ankara, Turkey, on June 27, 2023. The Turkish lira slid as much as 3% to a record low against the dollar on Monday, after the central bank took steps to simplify policy, while an official and bankers said the bank had stopped using its reserves to support the lira. The lira weakened as far as 26.05 against the U.S. currency, surpassing last week's all-time low of 25.74. It is down 28% so far this year, largely after the re-election in late May of President Tayyip Erdogan who has since moved to backtrack on his years of unorthodox economic policy including slashing rates despite soaring inflation. Photo by Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM

Chinese firms showcase green solutions at Africa energy forum

STORY: Chinese firms showcase green solutions at Africa energy forum DATELINE: June 22, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:38 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the 25th Africa energy forum 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RYAN WANG, General Manager, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. in Africa 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VICTOR KOYIER, Vice president at Huawei's Sub-Saharan Africa market STORYLINE: Chinese enterprises attending the 25th Africa energy forum in Kenya are eyeing the potentials of the renewable energy market in Africa. More than 3,000 delegates including officials, multilateral lenders and investors are attending the energy forum, held in Nairobi from Tuesday to Friday. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RYAN WANG, General Manager, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. in Africa "African market for us, it's a potential market. Because of the demand here, everybody needs the power here. We are trying to provide our products to all project developers, IPPs, bankers, and commercial indus

U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers

STORY: U.S. dollars flow into Egypt currency market after Egyptian pound depreciation: bankers DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. Egypt's central bank 2. U.S. dollars 3. National banks STORYLINE: Bankers said on Thursday that hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed through Egypt's interbank market since the central bank allowed the Egyptian pound to depreciate by 13 percent. According to Reuters, one banker said that more than 800 million U.S. dollars were traded in the interbank market on Wednesday, an amount confirmed by a second banker. Egypt has been suffering a shortage of foreign currency since the war in Ukraine hit tourism revenue, raised commodity import bills and led foreign investors to pull more than 20 billion dollars out of the economy. The Egyptian pound has lost about 51 percent of its value since March. Bankers said there were signs of international institutions pouring money into Egypt ahead of Thursday's auction of local treasur

Japan banks aim to begin 24-hour money transfer service in 2018

Japan banks aim to begin 24-hour money transfer service in 2018

TOKYO, Japan - Nobuyuki Hirano, chairman of the Japanese Bankers Association, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Hirano said that financial institutions operating in Japan aim to start a 24-hour, 365-day online money transfer service in 2018.

Japan to put economy back on recovery track despite tax hike: Aso

Japan to put economy back on recovery track despite tax hike: Aso

CAIRNS, Australia - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso (L) and Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda hold a news conference in Cairns, Australia, on Sept. 21, 2014, after attending a meeting of Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers.

BOJ Gov. Kuroda in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

BOJ Gov. Kuroda in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

JACKSON HOLE, United States - Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda responds to reporters on Aug. 22, 2014, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he was attending an annual conference of economists and central bankers.

G-20 likely to discuss Fed tapering impact on emerging markets

G-20 likely to discuss Fed tapering impact on emerging markets

SYDNEY, Australia - Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda speaks to reporters in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 22, 2014, before finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 nations start a two-day meeting.

G-20 meeting

G-20 meeting

WASHINGTON, United States - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso (L) and Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda hold a press conference after attending a meeting of G-20 financial ministers and central bankers in Washington on Oct. 11, 2013.

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Olivier Blanchard (L), director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund, holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2012 on the outlook for the world economy. The IMF and World Bank started their joint annual meetings in Tokyo the same day, with nearly 20,000 government and private-sector officials and central bankers expected to gather to discuss issues ranging from the eurozone crisis and the slowing global economy to measures to support developing nations.

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - International Monetary Fund officials hold a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2012 on the outlook for the world economy. The IMF and World Bank started their joint annual meetings in Tokyo the same day, with nearly 20,000 government and private-sector officials and central bankers expected to gather to discuss issues ranging from the eurozone crisis and the slowing global economy to measures to support developing nations.

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

IMF, World Bank begin annual meetings in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Olivier Blanchard, director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund, holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2012 on the outlook for the world economy. The IMF and World Bank started their joint annual meetings in Tokyo the same day, with nearly 20,000 government and private-sector officials and central bankers expected to gather to discuss issues ranging from the eurozone crisis and the slowing global economy to measures to support developing nations.

Bankers count money offered at Osaka shrine

Bankers count money offered at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Female bank staffers wearing traditional Japanese happi coats count money given as offerings during the annual ''Toka Ebisu'' festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka on Jan. 12, 2012. During the festival that took place Jan. 9-11, some 940,000 people visited the shrine and gave offerings totaling an estimated 45 million yen.

Bankers count money offered at Osaka shrine

Bankers count money offered at Osaka shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Female bank staffers wearing traditional Japanese happi coats count money given as offerings during the annual ''Toka Ebisu'' festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka on Jan. 12, 2012. During the festival that took place Jan. 9-11, some 940,000 people visited the shrine and gave offerings totaling an estimated 45 million yen.

World economy to maintain moderate growth: banking industry leader

World economy to maintain moderate growth: banking industry leader

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Bankers Association Chairman Masayuki Oku speaks in a recent interview with Kyodo News. He said the world economy is likely to maintain moderate growth in 2011 although industrial countries remain plagued by various problems.

Actress Kikukawa in event

Actress Kikukawa in event

TOKYO, Japan - Actress Rei Kikukawa (R) receives a letter from Japanese Bankers Association Chairman Masayuki Oku appointing her to a one-day post to prevent fraud via remittance to bank accounts at an event in Tokyo on July 6, 2010.

Bankers count money offered at shrine

Bankers count money offered at shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Female bank staffers wearing traditional Japanese happi coats count money given as offerings during the annual ''Toka Ebisu'' festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka, on Jan. 12, 2010. During the festival that took place Jan. 9 through 11, some 1 million people visited the shrine, about 70,000 more than last year due to the three-day weekend, and gave offerings totaling around 45 million yen, about the same amount as last year.

Bankers count money offered at shrine

Bankers count money offered at shrine

OSAKA, Japan - Female bank staffers wearing traditional Japanese happi coats hold money given as offerings during the annual ''Toka Ebisu'' festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka, on Jan. 12, 2010. Eleven bankers counted the offerings, estimated to total 45 million yen, that were collected during the three-day event at the shrine held Jan. 9 through 11 which drew about 1 million people.