SMBC has made a number of promotions and changes to the management structure of its trade finance business. These changes reflect the bank’s strategy of developing its business along global product lines.

Takahisa Yano has been promoted from regional head of Emea to global head of trade solutions and export finance, and will be responsible for developing SMBC’s export finance, forfaiting and trade finance on a global basis.

John Turnball has been promoted from his position as global head of structured trade and commodity finance to joint general manager.
Both Yano and Turnbull will report directly to Toshihide Orita, general manager and global head of trade finance, who will have overall responsibility for the development and expansion of trade finance within SMBC. All three senior managers will be based in London.

Commenting on SMBC’s position in trade solutions and export finance, Yano comments: “We have strong momentum in building relationships with a range of importers and exporters to provide comprehensive trade-related services including export finance, supply chain finance and factoring. Building upon these successes, I believe we are very well placed to achieve strong growth in terms of geographical reach, origination and structuring, utilising our global network.”
Turnbull adds: "Demand for pre-export and other structures for commodity producers remains very strong, especially in Russia, Brazil and African markets. We will continue to offer proven structures to our widening circle of clients to support their production, trading and development plans.”

A further two changes have been made to SMBC’s Asia business, with Masaki Kambayashi, previously regional head of Asia within global trade finance department, taking up the position of general manager in charge of financial institutions and country risk with the credit department in Tokyo. In this role he will be closely involved in SMBC's expansion of its trade finance business, particularly in Africa and Latin America.
Hiromitsu Otsu, head of business promotion group in Tokyo, has been promoted to joint general manager, where he will continue to maintain and develop relations with Japanese exporters.