2. Focusing on growth industries and businesses

In an effort to deal with this severe business environment where capital demand was slow in the domestic market and loan deposit interest margins were further narrowing, SMFG focused on providing solutions for corporate customers, which was one of the key strategic business areas of the Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2011–2013). In accordance with the plan, the company continuously strove to provide appropriate high-quality solutions to a wide spectrum of management issues faced by corporate customers.

In July 2010, SMBC established a cross-organizational Growing Industrial Cluster Project Team for the purpose of responding to the needs of customers in select industries with high growth potential. The team often worked with government agencies, while enhancing specialist knowledge related to the growing industries.

In April 2012, the Growing Industrial Cluster Project Team was dissolved and reorganized into the Growth Industry Cluster Department within the Project & Export Finance Department. In April 2014, the Growth Industry Cluster Project was organized as an independent function under the control of the Investment Banking Unit and Corporate Advisory Division. The project started with four areas to engage in (the environment, new energy, water, and natural resources), and later added another four areas (infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and robots). Major activities were conducted to create new businesses, capitalizing on the extensive knowledge and networks built up through years of cooperating with industry, government, and academic sectors.