Despite China receiving 47 member applications, the U.S. and Japan remain the only two major economies that have not asked to join the bank., the Obama administration now says the new bank could be a good development, but cautioned against its lack of transparency. "This could be a positive thing," President Obama declared at a White House press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "But if it’s not run well, then it could be a negative thing."