Suruga Bank: The Hybrid Bank Powering Everyday ANA Mileage Gains

A narrative look at Suruga Bank: Japan’s mileage‑friendly hybrid bank

Suruga Bank (スルガ銀行) is a long‑established regional bank headquartered in Shizuoka Prefecture. Founded in 1895, it has operated for more than a century as a traditional brick‑and‑mortar bank, complete with physical branches, ATMs, and in‑person services.

However, Suruga is also known for its innovative online operations, especially its internet‑only branches such as the Suruga Bank ANA Branch, which is designed specifically for ANA Mileage Club members. This makes Suruga a hybrid institution—not a pure ネット銀行, but a conventional bank with powerful digital extensions.

Products and services — especially those that earn ANA Miles

Suruga Bank offers a wide range of consumer banking services, but its ANA Branch is where mileage collectors find real value. According to ANA and Suruga Bank, the ANA Branch allows customers to earn miles on daily banking transactions.

ANA Mileage Club Financial Pass Visa Debit Card. A signature product of the ANA Branch, this card combines:

• Visa debit functionality

• ANA Mileage Club membership

• Suruga Bank cash card

It earns miles on spending and integrates seamlessly with ANA’s ecosystem.

Mileage‑earning transactions at Suruga Bank ANA Branch. Suruga Bank’s ANA Branch rewards customers for a wide variety of everyday financial activities:

1. Automatic Debits (口座振替): 5 miles per transaction, no monthly cap. Eligible payments include:

• Credit cards

• Mobile phone bills

• Insurance premiums

• Utilities

2. Salary Deposit (給与振込): 50 miles per month for salary deposits of ¥100,000 or more

3. Pension Deposit: 100 miles per month for pension deposits of ¥100,000 or more

4. Time Deposits (定期預金):

• 210 miles per ¥100,000 deposited for “mile‑attached” time deposits

• Special gift time deposits also offer chances to win up to 30,000 miles in monthly drawings

5. Mortgage Loans: Up to 25,000 miles per year based on outstanding loan balance

6. Investment Trust Purchases: 20 miles per ¥100,000 purchased

7. SMART BANK Automatic Loan Repayment: up to 60 miles per month depending on repayment amount

8. Visa Debit Spending: annual bonus miles for meeting certain spending thresholds

Suruga Bank also runs periodic campaigns. For example, a recent ANA Branch campaign offered up to 33,000 miles for new account holders based on balance, automatic debits, and age‑based bonuses.

Is it easy for foreign residents to open an account? Suruga Bank is known for being more flexible than many regional banks, but it is still a traditional Japanese financial institution. This means:

✔️ Possible for foreign residents. Foreigners with a valid residence card, a MyNumber card, and proof of address can generally apply.

⚠️ But not as foreigner‑friendly as online‑only banks. Suruga does not market itself as an English‑support bank, and its application process is primarily in Japanese.

The ANA Branch is internet‑based, but the application forms, disclosures, and identity verification steps are all Japanese‑language.

English support. Suruga Bank does not offer full English banking services. Support is limited to:

• Occasional English pages on ANA‑related promotions

• Some English explanations on ANA’s website about the ANA Branch

All core banking operations—online banking, forms, customer service—are Japanese‑only.

For foreign residents who are comfortable navigating Japanese interfaces, Suruga is manageable. For those who need English support, it may feel challenging.

Final thoughts:

Suruga Bank stands out in Japan’s banking landscape by blending traditional branch banking with innovative online services. Its ANA Branch is one of the most mileage‑generous banking products in the country, rewarding customers for everyday financial behavior.

For mileage enthusiasts—especially ANA loyalists—Suruga Bank can be a powerful tool. Just be prepared for a Japanese‑only experience when opening and managing your account.