A Shinkin bank (信用金庫, Shin-yō kinko)(literally a "credit treasury") is a type of Japanese . They are cooperative regional financial institutions serving small and medium enterprises and local residents. Anyone who lives, works, or has an office in the region served by the bank can become a member. However, companies with over 300 employees are prohibited from membership. The Shinkin Central Bank serves as the central bank for the Shinkin banks. In this role it makes loans to and accepts deposits from Shinkin banks. The supervising authority is the Financial Services Agency.