SMBC Group operates in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, with our overseas businesses driving the Group's growth. To support these operations, we are developing a talent management framework that enables optimal assignments and promotions, regardless of the location of hire.
Another area of focus is facilitating personnel exchanges between Japan and overseas, implementing global training programs, helping employees gain experience in cross-cultural communication, and building a corporate culture that treats diversity as a source of competitiveness.
Globalization of human resources by in figures
Major initiatives for the active efforts of global human resources
Global HR Depatment
SMBC and SMBC Nikko Securities established their Global Human Resources Departments in FY 2014 and FY 2017, respectively, followed by the establishment of the SMFG Global Human Resources Department in FY 2017.
The Global Talent Management Council has been created as a framework for developing strategic appointment plans for locally hired employees (LH) and enhancing the transparency of LH promotions. Additionally, a database is being developed to centrally manage talent information on both a Group-wide and global basis. To support the overseas businesses that drive the Group's growth, we are committed to maximizing our talents' capabilities through systematic human resource management, regardless of the location of hire.
Various training systems
Participants of a global Japan program
For talent development, we offer a variety of training programs for employees from offices around the globe, including leadership training for management-level employees in partnership with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Another key focus is on personnel exchanges, facilitated through programs that assign employees from overseas offices to departments in Japan for up to one year.
In addition, we promote overseas trainee programs and provide financial support for language skill improvement for employees working in domestic departments and branches. The cumulative total number of participants in these global training programs has reached 2,100.
Promoting Local Employment
SMBC Group is actively promoting local employment in our overseas offices to leverage local market expertise for global success. We are strengthening our talent management framework to support the career development of our employees, regardless of their location of hire.
Employee Resource Groups at our overseas offices
At SMBC Group's overseas offices, several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Our Women's Inclusion Network and Balance focus on gender topics ; NIJI Pride and NIJI EMEA advance LGBTQ awareness, and UNIQUE supports and advocates for people with disabilities.
SMBC Group employees work together to address their own biases and to promote genuine DE&I, enabling them to be active in their own right while becoming more accepting of each other.
In Japan, we are also accelerating collaborations that transcend regions by using online tools to co-organize and participate in events with overseas employee resource groups.
