New Features to Promote “Shared Savings” for Couples in the Age of Rising Prices

As summer bonuses and summer vacation plans become more active in June, SmartBank Inc., which operates the AI household management app 'OneBank,' has added three new features to promote 'shared savings,' where couples work together to save for future goals, as an update to the savings function.

OneBank has had a 'Pocket' function since its service launch in July 2021, which allows users to name the balance of their prepaid card deposits by purpose such as 'food expenses,' 'daily necessities,' and 'transportation expenses,' and manage the amount spent.

Despite continuing price increases, it has been found that many users name their pockets 'travel,' 'anniversary,' 'savings,' etc., and use them as a place to save for 'fun' separate from the money they spend each month. This time, for the individual 'OneBank My Card' and the couple-oriented 'OneBank Pair Card,' we have added three functions that allow you to set a 'goal amount,' 'automatic periodic savings,' and 'automatic transfer of surplus funds' for pockets that separate the balance by purpose.

*Note: 'Shared Savings' refers to the collective term for actions taken by two people using OneBank's Pocket function to save by purpose. Savings to the Pocket are completed within the OneBank charge balance (prepaid value).

[Development Background] Increase in couples and dual-income households who want to save even in times of rising prices

The number of users of the Pair Card, which allows for joint accounts on OneBank, has increased approximately threefold from April 2023 to April 2026 over three years, and the need for couples to jointly manage money is also increasing socially.

An analysis of the 'Pocket function' among OneBank Pair Card users found that about 43% of pockets with clear purposes were for 'saving.' Furthermore, when looking at the breakdown, 'fun and leisure' purposes such as travel, anniversaries, and supporting activities accounted for about 26% of the total, and it was found that many couples are engaged in 'shared savings' for common purposes even in times of rising prices.

In addition, it has been revealed that the average monthly savings of couples with a joint account is about 1.2 times higher than that of couples without one (from an external internet survey conducted by the company in March 2026).

Despite the fact that there is a reality of 'shared savings' by two people and savings effects through joint accounts, the Pocket function was originally designed for managing daily expenses and was not easy to continue saving. Therefore, mechanisms such as setting and visualizing the progress of savings goals have been added to make 'shared savings' by two people easier to continue.

[New Features] Features to make saving easy and fun for two people towards their goals

Generally, bank account savings are used for 'defensive savings' to prepare for the future. On the other hand, travel funds, anniversary dinner costs, and live costs for favorite artists are 'savings for fun' with near-future goals and dates set. OneBank has added three functions to make it easier to save periodically.

① Goal Amount & Cover Image Setting

Set the goal amount and deadline, and visualize the progress in real time. You can set a photo of the travel destination, etc. as the cover image of the Pocket, and you can continue saving while sharing the fun of 'Okinawa trip remaining ¥X.'

Please refer to here for more details on how to use it.

② Regular Savings

This function automatically saves a set amount each month to the Pocket. You can continue the habit of saving in advance without strain for two people. Please refer to here for more details on how to use it.

③ Surplus Savings

This function automatically moves the surplus of the previous month's living expenses to the Pocket at the beginning of each month. It realizes the experience of 'saving without realizing it even if you don't save.' Please refer to here for more details on how to use it.

*Note: Savings to the Pocket are completed within the OneBank charge balance (prepaid value).

Usage Image

Travel Savings

Automatically save ¥20,000 per month with regular savings. Set a photo of the travel destination as the cover of the Pocket and enjoy checking the progress with your partner. 'Okinawa trip remaining ¥100,000' becomes a monthly joy.

Anniversary Dinner

For the first anniversary, gradually save the remaining amount from monthly household management with 'surplus savings.' Settlement on the day is also smart with the Pair Card.

Support Activities & Live Expedition Fees

Gradually save the live expedition fees for your favorite artist every month. Savings with dreams will also motivate you on a daily basis.

Release Memorial Campaign

Just set up a 'savings rule' with the Pair Card and start saving for two people during the campaign period, and you could win up to ¥50,000 worth of OneBank Points in a lottery! Also, there are no losers, and everyone will definitely receive OneBank Points. For more details, please refer to the campaign announcement page.

https://onebank.jp/news/entry/20260615_savings_start_campaign

Future Prospects

Starting with this addition of savings functions, OneBank will expand its position from 'managing the daily living expenses of two people' to 'managing the living expenses, special expenses, and savings of two people all at once' as an infrastructure for money. In the future, we are also considering the addition of functions such as spare change savings and the incorporation of securities accounts, and will continue to create an environment where two people can naturally face money.

■ About AI Household Management App 'OneBank'

OneBank (formerly known as B/43) is a next-generation household management app that makes it easy to record daily expenses and continue without strain. By issuing a unique Visa prepaid card, you can also use it for cashless payments, allowing you to shop with confidence while preventing overspending. The household account book function is equipped with AI, and the AI assistant supports various household management tasks from receipt organization to improvement proposals. You can also manage household finances together with family or partners using a single account, or use a child card to monitor parental and child expenses in real time, and more, according to your family's style. Since its release in April 2021, cumulative downloads have reached 2 million as of July 2025. (Service site: https://onebank.jp/)

■ Company Profile

Company Name: SmartBank Inc.

Representative: Representative Director Shota Hori

Established: April 9, 2019

URL: https://smartbank.co.jp/

Business Content: Operation of household management service 'B/43 (B/43)' and settlement business

Funds transfer business Director of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00084

Prepaid payment instrument Director of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00782