SMBC Group's preparations to become an "Asset Management Solution Provider"
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and its subsidiary SMBC Global Investment & Consulting (SGIC) have announced that Ken Kobayashi has been appointed as President and Representative Director of SGIC effective April 1, 2025. By welcoming a professional with over 30 years of experience in the asset management field, SMBC Group aims to continue providing high-value asset management services that serve the "best interests" of their customers based on his knowledge and experience.
As announced in the "Direction of Group Strategy Toward Becoming an 'Asset Management Solution Provider'", published in January 2024, SMBC Group has established a policy to build a unique investment chain that centers on solution functions that connect investment management and consulting from a neutral position. Regarding SGIC, which will serve as the core engine of this structure, SMBC Group previously mentioned plans to strengthen systems for various services including fund due diligence, fund monitoring, asset allocation, and house views. Through the following three main initiatives SMBC Group focused on over the past year, it has now established the framework for a series of organizational preparations centered on SGIC.
Consolidation and Strengthening of Due Diligence, Monitoring, and Asset Allocation Functions
SMBC Group has consolidated the due diligence and monitoring operations for its fund sales products within SGIC, establishing a structure where SGIC contributes to quality management and product governance by evaluating the Group's handled funds from a neutral position.
Additionally, SMBC Group has changed the structure so that SGIC consistently handles asset allocation and fund evaluation/selection advisory services for SMBC Group's fund wrap products. SMBC Group will continue to focus on strengthening SGIC's expertise with the aim of further improving performance.
Transfer of the Chief Investment Office
As announced in the press release dated January 27, 2025, SMBC Nikko Securities will transfer its Chief Investment Office (CIO) to SGIC through a company split effective April 1, 2025.
The CIO's View issued by SGIC's CIO from a neutral position will be positioned as the "SMBC Group's common view on wealth management" and utilized for high-level portfolio consulting on a group-wide basis.
Strengthening Governance Through Recruitment of Professional Talent
As mentioned at the beginning, SGIC has appointed Ken Kobayashi as President and Representative Director effective April 1, 2025. By welcoming Mr. Kobayashi, a professional with over 30 years of experience in the asset management field, SGIC will fulfill its role as the core of SMBC Group's asset management solution provider structure to realize the best interests of customers, based on his knowledge and experience.
SGIC will serve as a source of solutions standing between asset management companies and sales companies to realize the best interests of customers, enabling SMBC to provide sophisticated and consistent solution-based proposals to customers as a unified group.
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