Rakuten eyes pilot for its Web-only bank operations By Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporter Rakuten International Commercial Bank (樂天國際商銀) plans to launch a pilot for its Web-only operations by the end of next month, company chairman Chien Ming-jen (簡明仁) said on Monday. Initially, the bank plans to provide services to its 100 employees, as well as 3,500 staff at its shareholders IBF Financial Holdings Co (國票金控) and Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten Inc’s local unit, Chien said. In the first phase, the bank would focus on its information systems, he said, without revealing when formal operations would begin. Rakuten International Commercial Bank chairman Chien Ming-jen speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Nov. 5.