Line Corp. is betting that tie-ups with Japan¡¯s biggest financial institutions will help convince its 78 million users to entrust the free texting app with their money.

The operator of Japan¡¯s most popular messaging platform plans to introduce the Line Securities equities trading service jointly with the country¡¯s biggest brokerage, Nomura Holdings Inc., this year, provided it receives the necessary government permits, Tetsuhiko Saito, who heads Line¡¯s financial arm, said in an interview in Tokyo.

A banking service offered in partnership with mega-bank Mizuho Financial Group Inc. could become available as early as fall 2020, Saito said.