Extensive footprint
Western Europe
With a presence in London since 1918, SMBC Group’s predecessors – Sumitomo and Mitsui – were two of the earliest Japanese banks to operate in Europe. Over the century, the bank focused on acting as a reliable partner for its European customers. It opened a representative office in Düsseldorf in 1969, and expanded its presence further throughout the 1970s and 1980s with offices in Brussels, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Frankfurt and Dublin, and finally Amsterdam in 1990. Today, its network of professionals across Europe offer local knowledge and the bank can support its clients’ businesses by leveraging SMBC Group’s strength and network in Asia.
Central and eastern Europe
SMBC Group was one of the first foreign financial institutions to be active in central and eastern Europe during the period when the region transitioned to free-market economies in the early 1990s. The bank was among the first to arrange syndicated fundraising, and provide European Investment Bank guarantees and loan facilities. It remains one of the leading international banks in the region with local support provided by its Prague branch.
Turkey
With a long history of providing financing in Turkey, the bank is a frequent lender in aircraft finance and has an extensive track record as a financial advisor and lender for healthcare infrastructure in the country. SMBC has a representative office in Istanbul.
Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States
SMBC Group has been active in Russia and the former Soviet Union countries for many years. JSC Sumitomo Mitsui Rus Bank is based in Moscow.
Middle East
SMBC Group has been operating in the Middle East since the 1970s, and the region remains a major focus for the bank’s activities. Its clients are well served through an extensive on-the-ground presence with a regional hub in Dubai and offices in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha and Riyadh.
Africa
The bank has been active in Africa for many years, establishing representative offices in Cairo in 1975 and Johannesburg in 1996.