SMBC Group Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

SMBC Group has 10 executives leading key functions including global banking strategy, operational infrastructure, regional market expansion, and structured debt management.

Committed to delivering comprehensive financial solutions across international markets, SMBC Group drives sustainable economic growth through digital innovation and traditional banking excellence while maintaining a robust presence in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Leadership Roles at SMBC Group

  • Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India) - Rakesh Garg
  • Chief Operating Officer - Greg Keeley
  • Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets - John 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
  • Managing Director - Partha Nandi
  • Managing Director - Samantha Wu
  • Managing Director - Takashi Suetsugu
  • Managing Director - Kunihiko Yokoyama
  • Rakesh Garg - Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India)

    Rakesh Garg, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India) at SMBC Group, directs all banking and financial services operations within the Indian market. Garg oversees the expansion of the local branch network and the development of specialized financial products for the domestic corporate sector. By managing relationships with local regulators and key industry stakeholders, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India) ensures that the firm remains compliant with regional legal requirements. This role involves driving the growth of the local loan portfolio and enhancing the visibility of the brand in a highly competitive landscape. Rakesh Garg leads the implementation of localized marketing strategies that resonate with the specific needs of the Indian economy. Through the oversight of regional talent development, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India) builds a high-performing team capable of delivering superior financial results. Garg consistently strengthens the market position of the firm in this critical growth region.
    Rakesh Garg

    Greg Keeley - Chief Operating Officer

    Greg Keeley, the Chief Operating Officer at SMBC Group, directs the internal operational framework to ensure maximum efficiency across all global banking functions. Keeley oversees the streamlining of administrative processes and the integration of enterprise-wide resource planning systems. By managing the daily operational cadence, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that business units remain aligned with the strategic objectives set by the executive leadership team. This role involves optimizing supply chain logistics for financial services and enhancing the scalability of internal support functions. Greg Keeley drives the adoption of lean management principles, which reduces overhead costs and improves service delivery speed. Through the oversight of operational risk management, the Chief Operating Officer safeguards the firm against systemic disruptions. Keeley consistently delivers improvements in operational performance, enabling the organization to maintain a competitive edge while scaling its presence in diverse international markets.
    Greg Keeley

    John King - Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets

    John King, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets at SMBC Group, manages the operational infrastructure supporting the global trading and capital markets divisions. King oversees the execution of high-frequency trading platforms and ensures that market-facing operations remain resilient under volatile conditions. By directing the integration of front-office and back-office systems, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets facilitates seamless trade processing and settlement. This role requires constant collaboration with regulatory compliance teams to ensure that all market activities adhere to international standards. John King drives the implementation of advanced data analytics tools, which provide real-time insights into market performance and liquidity trends. Through the oversight of market operations, the Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets ensures that the firm maintains a robust and reliable trading environment. King consistently delivers operational excellence, supporting the growth of the capital markets business across all major global financial centers.

    Tsukasa Ishikawa - Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President

    Tsukasa Ishikawa, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President at SMBC Group, manages the overarching corporate governance and strategic planning functions. Ishikawa oversees the alignment of departmental goals with the long-term vision of the firm, ensuring that all business units contribute to sustainable growth. By directing the activities of the executive committee, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President facilitates effective decision-making and resource allocation. This role involves coordinating with the Board to refine corporate policies and enhance transparency in financial reporting. Tsukasa Ishikawa drives the implementation of organizational change initiatives that improve agility and responsiveness to market shifts. Through the oversight of corporate strategy, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President ensures that the firm maintains a strong balance sheet and a clear competitive advantage. Ishikawa consistently delivers leadership that fosters a culture of excellence, enabling the organization to navigate complex global challenges while achieving its financial targets.

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

    Favio Hernandez, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) at SMBC Group, directs the operational coordination of the structured debt team within the Americas region. Hernandez oversees the workflow of complex debt issuance projects, ensuring that all documentation and compliance requirements are met with precision. By managing the communication flow between the structured debt division and other key business units, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) facilitates the timely execution of large-scale financing deals. This role involves analyzing market trends to support the development of innovative debt structures that meet the needs of corporate clients. Favio Hernandez drives the implementation of project management best practices, which enhances the efficiency of the deal-making process. Through the oversight of administrative and strategic support, the Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas) ensures that the team remains focused on delivering high-value financial solutions that drive revenue growth across the region.

    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 within the corporate and infrastructure sectors. Scheremeta oversees the coordination of technology projects, ensuring that the Chief Technology Officers have the necessary resources to drive innovation. By directing the communication between technical teams and executive leadership, the To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff facilitates the rapid deployment of scalable infrastructure solutions. This role involves monitoring the progress of digital transformation efforts and ensuring that technology investments support the broader business goals. Stephen Scheremeta drives the implementation of efficient project tracking systems, which improves the visibility of technology performance. Through the oversight of strategic planning for the technology division, the To The Corporate & Infrastructure Technology Ctos Chief of Staff ensures that the firm maintains a robust and secure technological foundation that supports all global banking operations.

    Partha Nandi - Managing Director

    Partha Nandi, the Managing Director at SMBC Group, directs high-level financial initiatives across the global banking portfolio. Nandi oversees the integration of complex investment solutions for corporate clients, ensuring alignment with the broader institutional goals of the organization. By managing cross-border capital flows, the Managing Director facilitates seamless transactions for multinational entities operating within the Asian and European markets. This leadership role requires constant collaboration with the Board to refine risk management frameworks and optimize asset allocation strategies. Partha Nandi maintains a focus on long-term value creation, leveraging deep industry expertise to navigate volatile economic landscapes. Through the implementation of rigorous compliance standards, the Managing Director secures the integrity of financial operations. Ultimately, Nandi strengthens the market position of the firm by fostering strategic partnerships and driving consistent revenue growth across diverse financial sectors.

    Samantha Wu - Managing Director

    Samantha Wu, the Managing Director at SMBC Group, architects the strategic expansion of digital financial services within the retail banking division. Wu manages the deployment of mobile banking applications, ensuring that user experiences remain competitive in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape. By analyzing consumer behavior data, the Managing Director identifies emerging opportunities for product diversification and market penetration. This role involves coordinating with technology teams to enhance platform security and operational efficiency. Samantha Wu drives the adoption of digital-first banking solutions, which significantly improves customer engagement metrics across the North American and Indian markets. Through the oversight of digital transformation projects, the Managing Director ensures that the firm remains at the forefront of financial technology innovation. Wu consistently delivers results that align with the overarching mission of providing accessible, secure, and efficient banking services to a global client base.

    Takashi Suetsugu - Managing Director

    Takashi Suetsugu, the Managing Director at SMBC Group, leads the institutional banking division with a focus on large-scale corporate lending and infrastructure financing. Suetsugu oversees the development of bespoke financial products tailored to the specific needs of industrial clients in the Middle East and Asia. By managing complex credit portfolios, the Managing Director ensures that the firm maintains a healthy balance between risk exposure and profitability. This leadership position requires close coordination with global treasury teams to manage liquidity and capital requirements effectively. Takashi Suetsugu drives the execution of major project finance deals, which supports the growth of critical infrastructure sectors worldwide. Through the application of advanced financial modeling, the Managing Director optimizes the performance of the corporate loan book. Suetsugu consistently delivers strategic insights that enable the firm to capitalize on emerging market trends while maintaining strict adherence to global regulatory standards.

    Kunihiko Yokoyama - Managing Director

    Kunihiko Yokoyama, the Managing Director at SMBC Group, manages the global wealth management and private banking operations. Yokoyama oversees the delivery of personalized investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals, ensuring that portfolios align with long-term financial objectives. By directing the activities of regional advisory teams, the Managing Director facilitates the growth of assets under management across key international hubs. This role involves constant interaction with market analysts to identify lucrative investment vehicles and mitigate potential risks. Kunihiko Yokoyama drives the implementation of client-centric service models that enhance retention and foster long-term loyalty. Through the oversight of wealth advisory processes, the Managing Director ensures that the firm provides comprehensive financial planning services that address complex tax and estate considerations. Yokoyama maintains a focus on delivering superior investment performance, thereby solidifying the reputation of the firm as a premier provider of private banking solutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SMBC Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads SMBC Group?
    SMBC Group is led by Rakesh Garg (Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India)), along with executives such as Greg Keeley (Chief Operating Officer) and John King (Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets).
    Who is part of SMBC Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of SMBC Group includes leaders such as Rakesh Garg (Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India)), Greg Keeley (Chief Operating Officer), John King (Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does SMBC Group have?
    SMBC Group has 10 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 Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (India), Chief Operating Officer, Global Chief Operating Officer, Md, Markets, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy President, Division Structured Debt Chief of Staff (Americas).