Message from the Group CEO

In our Medium-Term Management Plan "Plan for Fulfilled Growth", which commenced in April 2023, SMBC Group has positioned "creating social value" as one of the key pillars of our management. We are united as a group in our efforts to address social issues.

For SMBC Group, creating social value is not a new concept. Our origins in Mitsui and Sumitomo date back to the Edo period, where the spirit of "Sanpo Yoshi" (three-way satisfaction) — prioritizing the happiness of society and customers over personal gain — has earned us unwavering trust. Under this long-standing spirit, SMBC Group is committed to not only pursuing economic value but also creating social value, thereby further enhancing the trust of our stakeholders.

The world faces numerous social challenges, and SMBC Group has identified five urgent issues that we particularly aim to address: "Environment," "DE&I / Human Rights," "Poverty & Inequality," "Declining Birthrate & Aging Population," and "Japan's Regrowth." Finance is often referred to as the "lifeblood of the economy," and SMBC Group provides loans amounting to 100 trillion yen to customers across various sectors and regions, both domestically and internationally. By collaborating with a wide range of partners, we proactively tackle these broad social issues from both financial and non-financial perspectives, creating a significant flow of funds towards solving social challenges.

SMBC Group will contribute to "Fulfilled Growth" so that people can live their lives with happiness, by leading both economic growth and supporting social advancements.

President and Group CEO
Toru Nakashima