About Us

A trusted partner for the long term

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is a global leader offering Corporate & Investment Banking, Structured Finance, Corporate Finance,
Global Markets and Sustainability Solutions.

With over 100,000 employees across a footprint of 40 countries, and assets exceeding $1.73 trillion (USD), we combine our Japanese roots and long-standing track record with ideas and innovation to serve a diverse client base across the region. Our team of experts provides a full range of corporate and investment banking solutions to major corporations and institutions. We have a strong presence across EMEA and together, we are driven by a shared purpose: to deliver success for our clients.

We are a global bank dedicated to delivering for our clients across EMEA. We strive to be a trusted solutions provider, focused on our clients’ growth and the advancement of society.

Hideo Kawafune

Head of EMEA for SMBC Group

A 400-year legacy of continuous growth

Starting as Japanese copper and kimono merchants, we have evolved into a leading international financial firm. Founded on integrity and innovation, we expanded into the Europe, Middle East and Africa region over a century ago, bringing global reach rooted in Japanese heritage. Our people are committed to partnering with our clients to demonstrate leadership in times of economic growth as well as times of instability.

Skip the Timeline

1590

The Sumitomo family business opens

Masatomo Sumitomo, a native of Kyoto, started a copper-refining business and established industrial capital integrating copper-mine development, refining and export.

1673

The Mitsui family business opens

Takatoshi Mitsui opened Echigoya, a high-volume kimono retail store—perhaps the world’s first and largest in terms of space and employees—in Edo, present-day Tokyo.

1674 -1875

The Mitsui and Sumitomo families expand capabilities

Mitsui and Sumitomo strengthened their capabilities in imports and exports, finance, transportation, and manufacturing to become two of the top business names in Japan.

1876

Mitsui Bank established

The Mitsui family established Mitsui Bank, the first private sector bank in Japan.

1895

Sumitomo Bank established EMEA office in London

The Sumitomo family established Sumitomo Bank in Osaka with the capitalisation of one million yen.

1918

Sumitomo Bank launches first EMEA office in London

Sumitomo Bank opens in London the first office in the EMEA region.

1970’s

SMBC expands to EMEA

• 1971: Düsseldorf representative office of Sumitomo Bank opens and Brussels branch of Sumitomo Bank opens.
• 1975: Cairo representative office of Sumitomo Bank opens.
• 1979: Madrid and Bahrain representative office of Sumitomo Bank open.

1980

SMBC continues to expand its footprint

• Milan and Paris representative offices of Sumitomo Bank and Brussels branch of Mitsui Bank open in 1982;
• Frankfurt representative office of Sumitomo Bank opens in 1983.

1986

Sumitomo Capital Markets is established in London

Sumitomo Capital Markets Debuts in London Financial Hub

1989

Sumitomo Bank expands European presence with LSE listing and Dublin office

• Sumitomo Bank is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
• Sumitomo Finance Dublin is established.

1990’s

Global growth and the birth of Sakura Bank

• Amsterdam and Istanbul representative offices of Sumitomo Bank open in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
• 1992: Sakura Bank is established following the earlier mergers of Mitsui, Taiyo and Kobe banks.
• 1996: Johannesburg representative office of Sumitomo Bank opens.

Early 2000’s

SMBC broadens its footprint across Europe, the Middle East, and Russia

• 2001: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation is formed by the merger of Sumitomo and Sakura banks.
• 2003: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Limited begins operations.
• 2004: Abu Dhabi representative office opens.

Mid 2000’s

SMBC continues to grow its regional presence

2005: Moscow representative office opens.
2007: Dubai DIFC branch opens.
2008: Doha QFC office and Prague representative office open.
2009: JSC Sumitomo Mitsui Rus Bank is established in Moscow.

Late 2000’s

SMFG goes public in New York; SMBC expands to Frankfurt and Riyadh

2010: SMFG lists its stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
2017: SMBC Bank EU AG is established in Frankfurt.
2018: SMBC Advisory Services Saudi Arabia LLC is established in Riyadh.

2024

SMBC and Jeffries expand strategic alliance into EMEA

January 2024: SMBC and Jeffries sign a memorandum of understanding to expand their global strategic alliance to include enhanced collaboration across EMEA on future corporate and investment banking business opportunities.

Late 2024

SMBC launches universal bank

October 2024: Transfer of Securities business (SMBC Nikko CM) to SMBC BI. SMBC becomes the first Japanese ‘mega-bank’ to create a universal banking entity in the UK.

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