The SCB is the central financial institution in Japan for the nationwide network of shinkin banks, comprising 259 banks and approximately 7,300 branches. Japan’s shinkin banks have an extremely  important role in the financial industry, holding around ¥143 trillion ($1,293 billion) in deposits . The SCB provides various financial products and services, and uses the abundant funds deposited from shinkin banks throughout Japan to invest in marketable securities in the financial markets in Japan and overseas, as well as to provide loans to operating companies and so forth.