The bank has branches in Sendai and Hachinohe; unfavorable business conditions forced the bank to close a branch in Sapporo.

During the bubble economy era of the late 1980s, the Bank of Iwate was known for its sound lending practices, and as a result, was relatively stable during the period following the collapse of the bubble.

While the bank has dropped in its rankings in recent years, it is said to maintain high standards.

The bank has recently diversified, offering insurance and securities services for customers.

One long-term issue that will face Japan's regional banks will be the level of competition from Japan Post, the Japanese postal system which is also the world's largest savings institution, by assets, when it is privatized in 2007.