Sendai Bank gifts babies their weight at birth in money upon opening a new bank account

Having a big baby may be decidedly not fun for the mother, the baby’s first bank account will positively rejoice!

Beginning on October 1, babies in Miyagi Prefecture can receive celebratory money for being born–and the bigger the baby, the more the money.

Sendai Bank will deposit the equivalent number of yen as the child’s weight in grams at birth upon creation of the first bank account in their name if certain requirements are met. For instance, a baby born at 3,250 grams (7.17 pounds) will receive a gift of 3,250 yen (US$20.59) in their account. The idea was actually devised by an employee, and the bank hopes that this new perk will encourage families to use their services for a long time as the child grows older.

▼ The monetary gift can also be used to help offset the costs of new babies accidentally damaging their parents’ devices.

The main eligibility requirements are that the child is six years or under and received a Sukusuku (“healthy growing”) Box, which is a project being implemented as child-rearing assistance throughout Miyagi Prefecture. The box is filled with helpful childcare items and samples from sponsoring companies. In addition, parents must also deposit a minimum of 30,000 yen into the new bank account at the time of its creation.

For anyone wondering, no, you can’t simply fudge the numbers to make it appear that your baby was born extra chubby. Sendai Bank will confirm the baby’s weight at the time of birth via the official Maternal and Child Health Handbook, a helpful log and guidebook distributed by municipalities that tracks a baby’s growth during pregnancy and post-partum by healthcare professionals. Still, though, if you’re expecting a little one soon, it wouldn’t hurt to try eating some big food before birth to wish for a big bank account.

Source: Nikkei via Golden Times
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
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