Cryobanks International, Inc. is a leader in the collection, processing, and banking of stem cells derived from the umbilical cord immediately after birth, and with a current cord blood bank inventory of over 8,500 units, plus over 1,000 research units, Cryobanks believes it has the largest cord blood bank of any private company in the United States.
—"BioStem Announces Agreement to Acquire One of the Largest Stem Cell Companies in the United States," Market Wire, November 28, 2005

Cord blood banking is studded with hot-button issues, like patients' rights, for-profit medicine, and stem cell research. Let's get the filthy lucre out of the way first: Cord blood banking is expensive. It costs at least $1,000 up front, and $100 a year or more in annual storage fees thereafter. Some 350,000 people have reportedly done it so far, creating an industry worth $3.5 million and counting.
—Clive Thompson, "Should I Bank My Baby's Cord Blood?," Wired, December 1, 2005

In France and the US, where seven cord blood transplants have been reported, the patients were children or young teenagers.

"In France, scientists are considering establishing a cord blood bank to use for children who don't have a compatible donor relative," Dr Vowels said.
—Jane Southward, "Medical breakthrouh to save Andrew," The Sun-Herald, October 13, 1991