Meet Oliver | SMBC Group | Industrial Placement

I was drawn to SMBC because of its deep-rooted Japanese culture, which creates respect, humility, and a long-term approach to relationships – characteristics that I hold myself accountable to maintain. Being based in the London office of a globally recognised institution which is a subsidiary of SMFG (one of Japan’s top three banks), gave me exposure to both scale and substance. The flexibility of the program allows me to explore a variety of roles, which has been invaluable in immersing myself within financial services. SMBC’s reputation for combining heritage with ambition through diversification and expansion further cemented it as an organisation that I wanted to complete my Industrial Placement at.

As part of the Financial Markets Division (FMD), my role involves setting FX rates for clients and internal teams, ensuring they reflect real-time market movements. I contribute to daily FX market reports, including morning summaries of overnight market movers and key developments. I produce liquidity reporting across multiple currencies to support internal visibility and decision-making. I closely monitor macroeconomic releases, central bank meetings, and interest rate projections from major economies to assess potential impacts on FX markets. Additionally, I respond to internal queries by providing Cost of Funding rates and assist with the administrative processes behind arbitrage trades.

What I’ve enjoyed most about my internship is the opportunity to fully immerse myself in financial markets while building strong connections with my cohort. Being based in the heart of the city has added to the excitement, and the social events with other interns have made the experience even more rewarding. I’ve had access to a Reuters terminal, allowing me to track live macroeconomic events, interest rate projections, and market news, and observe their impact on FX, equities, commodities, and bond markets. All the teams I’ve worked with have been supportive, and my current placement with FMD has been especially valuable. Questions are encouraged, and I’ve been given real responsibility in my tasks. The variety of work and the learning environment have made this a truly enriching experience.

Before applying, take time to research SMBC- understanding its global presence and Japanese heritage will help you appreciate the culture and values that shape the firm. Make sure you have a genuine interest in the role you're applying for, as this will help you succeed not only during the recruitment process but also once you're in the role. Staying up to date with market trends and developments relevant to your area will allow you to add value from day one, potentially offering fresh perspectives your team may not have considered. There are plenty of online resources available to help you explore different areas of financial services and figure out where your strengths lie. The more informed and intentional you are, the more rewarding your internship will be.