Greetings

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your continued support and patronage.

Looking ahead to the next decade, SMBC Group has established a new Vision: “Globally connected. Rooted in Japan. Your most trusted partner.”

Under our previous Medium-Term Management Plan, we pursued a wide range of initiatives. Our earnings grew significantly through the robust expansion of our core businesses, while we also made steady progress in strengthening our corporate infrastructure and creating social value. These efforts, I believe, have brought us to a new stage of growth in which we now aspire to even greater heights as a leader in Japan with a growing global presence. Building on the trust that we have consistently valued over the years, we will strive to become the most trusted partner for our stakeholders by building a global platform that connects business activities and capital flows across borders, while further solidifying our business foundation in Japan and differentiating ourselves through this strength.

In addition to our new Vision, SMBC Group launched a new Medium-Term Management Plan in April 2026. For the three-year period beginning in FY2026, we will “aim higher through bold transformation” as we work to realize our new Vision. We will work to further improve capital efficiency through the evolution of business models in strategic areas and portfolio transformation. We will also continue to elevate our corporate infrastructure, aiming to reach global top-tier standards over the medium to long term. With respect to social value creation, an area of focus since the previous Medium-Term Management Plan, we will further enhance our initiatives and seek to contribute to the realization of a society filled with happiness and well-being. Moreover, recognizing that technology increasingly defines the competitiveness of financial institutions, we will make IT Transformation a major management priority and work to transform ourselves into an organization that fully leverages rapidly evolving technologies, including generative AI.

While we must remain mindful of the impact and risks arising from historic structural changes such as shifts in the international order and rapid technological advancement, we also view this as a significant opportunity to enhance our positioning in strategic areas. In our home market of Japan, momentum toward renewed growth is steadily building, and I believe it is SMBC Group’s important mission to make every possible contribution to that process. SMBC Group will unite as one in taking on the challenge of the next decade.

I will lead the transformation of SMBC Group so that we continue to earn the unwavering trust of our stakeholders. I sincerely appreciate your continued support.

April 1, 2026
President and Group CEO
Toru Nakashima