Sustainability

Our steadfast promise for a better world

SMBC Group defines sustainability as “creating a society in which today’s generation can enjoy economic prosperity and well-being and pass it on to future generations.”

Throughout our history, SMBC Group has regarded sustainability as fundamental to our business operations and, to this day, it remains the foundation of our management. As a financial institution, we work together with our customers and stakeholders towards building and sustaining a better world.

Contributing to a sustainable society is central to SMBC’s mission and we recognize there are a number of environmental and social challenges that require urgent and bold actions to transition to a sustainable and resilient world. SMBC’s business priorities reflect our changing societal needs and place importance on creating social value through measures to address the environment, human rights, poverty and inequality, declining birthrate and aging population, and economic regrowth. As part of these corporate commitments, SMBC is striving to realize net zero emissions1 in its global operations and in its loan and investments, promoting sustainable finance to help green the economy, and aligning with global efforts to advance sustainable development.


1
Net-zero goals are overarching goals of SMBC Group. For more information on how SMBC Group is measuring Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, its third-party verification, and how it is measuring interim progress, see its 2023 Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report (pages 4-6, 22, 30-34).




As a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), and the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), we are integrating industry-leading principles into our decision-making and business operations.


To learn more about SMBC Group sustainability initiatives, please visit Sustainability | Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (smfg.co.jp).

Sustainability in the Americas

With sustainability central to our corporate mission, our initiatives in the Americas include integrating and promoting the SMBC global sustainability and net zero agenda, as well as advancing programs to support diversity, equity, and inclusion and corporate citizenship activities to better our local communities. Our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities are aimed at helping us do our part to contribute to the global transformation to a better society.

Meet Our ESG Leaders
  • Environmental

    We support sustainable business practices in the way we operate and prioritize helping our clients reduce their environmental impact through green loans and bonds, as well as sustainability-linked financing. Learn more about our environmental sustainability efforts.

    Structured and Project Finance Sustainable Finance
  • Social

    We strive to build strong relationships based on empathy and mutual respect with our employees, clients, and suppliers. By delivering on our commitment to corporate citizenship, we are joining the movement to promote the health and safety of our communities.

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Governance

    We manage the internal controls of our business with integrity in accordance with our company’s standards and industry regulations and hold ourselves accountable for managing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.