SMBC Group Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

SMBC Group has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, debt structuring, financial management, market oversight, technology, and portfolio management.

Committed to delivering comprehensive financial solutions across global markets, SMBC Group drives sustainable economic growth through a robust international network and advanced digital banking infrastructure.

Leadership Roles at SMBC Group

  • Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Nizar Faisal
  • Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B - Koji Ueda
  • Chief Operating Officer - Gregory Keeley
  • Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets - Johnathan King
  • Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President - Tsukasa Ishikawa
  • Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) - Favio Hernandez
  • To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff - Stephen Scheremeta
  • PresidentnPortfolio - James Briggs
  • Nizar Faisal - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

    Nizar Faisal, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at SMBC Group, directs high-level strategic initiatives across the global banking portfolio. Faisal oversees the integration of traditional financial services with modern digital banking applications to maintain competitive advantages in Asia, Europe, and North America. By aligning corporate objectives with regional market demands, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent revenue growth and operational excellence. Nizar Faisal manages complex stakeholder relationships, facilitating collaboration between the board and senior leadership teams to optimize capital allocation. This leadership role involves monitoring macroeconomic trends to mitigate risks while identifying expansion opportunities within the international network. Through rigorous oversight of institutional banking divisions, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer strengthens the market position of the organization. Ultimately, Faisal drives long-term value creation by fostering innovation and maintaining strict adherence to global regulatory standards across all operational territories.

    Koji Ueda - Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B

    Koji Ueda, the Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B at SMBC Group, directs the financial health and fiscal strategy of the specialized aviation leasing division. Ueda oversees capital budgeting, financial reporting, and asset management to ensure the profitability of engine leasing operations. By analyzing market trends in the aerospace sector, the Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B optimizes investment returns and manages liquidity requirements. Koji Ueda collaborates with global finance teams to ensure that the division adheres to corporate accounting standards while supporting the broader financial goals of the organization. This leadership role involves assessing the financial viability of new lease agreements and managing long-term asset depreciation schedules. Through precise financial modeling and risk assessment, the Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B secures the fiscal integrity of the aviation portfolio, contributing significantly to the diversified revenue streams of the firm.

    Gregory Keeley - Chief Operating Officer

    Gregory Keeley, the Chief Operating Officer at SMBC Group, architects the internal frameworks necessary for seamless banking operations across the Americas. Keeley manages the daily execution of financial service delivery, ensuring that infrastructure supports both individual and corporate client needs. By streamlining cross-departmental workflows, the Chief Operating Officer enhances efficiency within the extensive international network. Gregory Keeley coordinates with technology teams to implement scalable digital solutions that improve user experiences in mobile banking. This leadership role requires constant evaluation of operational performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective strategies. Through the optimization of internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer supports the broader mission of providing reliable investment and financial solutions. Keeley maintains focus on operational resilience, ensuring that the organization remains agile in response to shifting market conditions while upholding the highest standards of service quality across all regional branches.
    Gregory Keeley

    Johnathan King - Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets

    Johnathan King, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets at SMBC Group, architects the operational infrastructure for global market activities. King manages the execution of trading strategies and market-facing operations across international financial hubs. By overseeing the integration of front-office and back-office systems, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets ensures that market transactions occur with maximum efficiency and minimal risk. Johnathan King coordinates with regional heads to align market operations with global liquidity requirements and regulatory mandates. This leadership role involves implementing advanced technology solutions to support high-frequency trading and complex financial instruments. Through the continuous improvement of operational processes, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets enhances the firm's ability to provide competitive pricing and liquidity to clients. King drives the strategic development of market infrastructure, ensuring that the organization maintains a dominant presence in global financial markets while optimizing operational costs.

    Tsukasa Ishikawa - Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President

    Tsukasa Ishikawa, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President at SMBC Group, directs the overarching operational strategy and executive management of the organization. Ishikawa oversees the implementation of corporate policies across the global network, ensuring that all regional operations remain consistent with the mission of the firm. By managing the executive leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President fosters a culture of accountability and performance excellence. Tsukasa Ishikawa evaluates the effectiveness of business units, driving improvements in service delivery and operational productivity. This leadership role involves balancing short-term operational demands with long-term strategic goals to ensure sustainable growth. Through the coordination of cross-functional initiatives, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President strengthens the market position of the organization. Ishikawa maintains a focus on operational scalability, ensuring that the firm can effectively serve its diverse client base while navigating the complexities of the global financial landscape.

    Favio Hernandez - Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas)

    Favio Hernandez, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) at SMBC Group, coordinates complex debt financing activities across the North American market. Hernandez manages the administrative and strategic flow of information between the structured debt division and executive leadership. By facilitating communication, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) ensures that complex financial products align with the overarching risk appetite of the organization. Favio Hernandez monitors project timelines and resource allocation to support the successful closing of high-value debt transactions. This leadership role involves synthesizing market data to provide actionable insights for the division, thereby enhancing decision-making capabilities. Through the management of internal reporting structures, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) maintains operational transparency and accountability. Hernandez drives the execution of strategic debt initiatives, ensuring that the division remains a primary contributor to the financial stability and growth of the firm.

    Stephen Scheremeta - To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff

    Stephen Scheremeta, the To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff at SMBC Group, manages the strategic alignment of technology initiatives with corporate infrastructure requirements. Scheremeta coordinates the efforts of the technology leadership team to ensure that digital platforms support the bank's global operations. By facilitating communication between the CTO and various business units, the To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff ensures that technology investments drive operational efficiency. Stephen Scheremeta monitors the progress of large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring that technical milestones align with business objectives. This leadership role involves managing the administrative functions of the technology division to optimize resource utilization. Through the oversight of project governance, the To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of digital banking innovation, providing secure and scalable solutions for clients across all international regions.

    James Briggs - PresidentnPortfolio

    James Briggs, the PresidentnPortfolio at SMBC Group, directs the strategic management and growth of the investment portfolio. Briggs oversees the allocation of assets across various financial instruments to maximize returns while managing risk exposure. By analyzing global market conditions, the PresidentnPortfolio identifies investment opportunities that align with the long-term objectives of the firm. James Briggs coordinates with portfolio managers to ensure that investment strategies remain consistent with the risk appetite of the organization. This leadership role involves monitoring the performance of the portfolio and adjusting asset allocations in response to changing economic environments. Through the rigorous evaluation of investment performance, the PresidentnPortfolio ensures that the firm delivers superior value to its clients and stakeholders. Briggs drives the development of innovative investment solutions, contributing to the overall financial strength and market competitiveness of the organization within the global banking industry.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SMBC Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads SMBC Group?
    SMBC Group is led by Nizar Faisal (Deputy Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Koji Ueda (Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B) and Gregory Keeley (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of SMBC Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of SMBC Group includes leaders such as Nizar Faisal (Deputy Chief Executive Officer), Koji Ueda (Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B), Gregory Keeley (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does SMBC Group have?
    SMBC Group has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in SMBC Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of SMBC Group includes roles such as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer V, Smbc Aero Engine Lease B, Chief Operating Officer, Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President.