SMBC Departments

Audit

The Audit Department provides independent assurance on the effectiveness of controls, governance, and risk management across SMBC. Working across a variety of business areas, the team helps identify opportunities to strengthen processes and maintain a strong control environment. Audit offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into how different parts of a global financial institution operate and work together.

Skills for success: critical thinking and analytical skills, integrity and professionalism, attention to detail, strong relationship-building skills, adaptability and willingness to learn

Bank-Securities Integration Team

The Bank-Securities Integration Team delivers strategically important transformation programmes across SMBC's EMEA business. Working with senior stakeholders across banking, securities, regulatory, and operational functions, the team supports major organisational change initiatives, operating model transformation, and regulatory programmes designed to strengthen and enhance the bank's capabilities.

Skills for success: strong organisational and prioritisation skills, effective communication and stakeholder management, excellent presentation skills, attention to detail, interest in business transformation and change management

Communications

The Communications team is responsible for shaping and promoting SMBC's brand across the EMEA region. The department manages both internal and external communications channels, including social media, media relations, digital content, employee communications, and corporate campaigns. The team also supports initiatives related to diversity, sustainability, social value, and employee engagement, helping tell the story of SMBC's people, business, and impact.

Skills for success: excellent written and verbal communication skills, creativity and eye for design, organisation and project management skills, attention to detail, interest in media, marketing, and corporate communications

Compliance

The Compliance team helps protect SMBC by ensuring the bank operates in line with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. The department covers areas including anti-financial crime, conduct risk, regulatory affairs, governance, compliance advisory, and employee training. It works closely with business teams to identify and manage compliance risks while supporting a strong culture of integrity across the organisation.

Skills for success: critical thinking and sound judgement, strong research and analytical skills, attention to detail, written and verbal communication skills, ability to influence and build relationships, interest in financial regulation and governance

Corporate Banking Department 2 (CBD2)

Corporate Banking Department 2 manages relationships with large corporate clients across Western Europe, providing tailored commercial and investment banking solutions. Acting as the connection between clients and specialist product teams, the department supports financing transactions, credit decisions, risk management, and strategic advisory services. Students gain exposure to relationship management, corporate finance, credit analysis, and financial modelling.

Skills for success: excellent communication skills, analytical mindset and financial curiosity, commercial awareness, proactive approach and initiative, relationship-building capabilities

Corporate Solutions Group (CSG)

Corporate Solutions Group acts as a central advisory hub supporting SMBC's front-office teams across EMEA. The department combines corporate finance advisory, sustainability solutions, and market intelligence to help clients achieve both financial and ESG objectives. The team works across strategic advisory, sustainable finance, market insights, and client engagement initiatives.

Skills for success: strong communication skills, interest in corporate finance and sustainability, analytical and problem-solving capabilities, commercial awareness, proactive and self-motivated approach

Data Office

Data Office is responsible for developing and implementing SMBC's data strategy across the EMEA region. The team focuses on data governance, data quality, data architecture, and data-driven transformation, helping the organisation make better business decisions through effective use of data. It plays a key role in promoting innovation and improving business outcomes through modern data management practices.

Skills for success: passion for data and technology, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, curiosity and innovative thinking, attention to detail, communication and relationship-building skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team

Finance

The Finance Department provides critical support to the bank through financial reporting, management accounting, tax, regulatory reporting, procurement, business transformation, and financial analytics. The team helps ensure the bank operates effectively while providing valuable insights that support strategic decision-making. Students gain exposure to data analysis, reporting, project work, and financial processes within a global banking environment.

Skills for success: strong numerical and analytical skills, effective communication skills, attention to detail, proactive and curious mindset, interest in finance, accounting, or data analysis

Financial Markets Department (FMD)

The Financial Markets Department (FMD) is responsible for managing and supporting a range of treasury-related products and services, including foreign exchange (FX), money markets, and funding activities. The department plays a key role in supporting both SMBC's clients and front-office businesses through market expertise, trading capabilities, treasury operations, and strategic planning. Comprised of teams across Planning, Customer Sales, Trading, and Banking, FMD provides insight into how a modern treasury function operates and supports the wider bank in navigating financial markets.

Skills for success: strong communication and relationship-building skills, proactive attitude and willingness to learn, interest in financial markets and treasury activities, ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, analytical and problem-solving skills. strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Global Financial Institutions Group (GFIG)

The Global Financial Institutions Group manages relationships with banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other financial sector clients across international markets. The team combines relationship management, credit analysis, client coverage, structuring, and business planning to deliver solutions that meet client needs whilst supporting SMBC's growth across the financial institutions sector.

Skills for success: excellent communication skills, strong analytical capability, time management and organisation, problem-solving mindset, strong Excel and data analysis skills

Global Markets Department

The Global Markets Department provides clients with access to financial markets solutions across a range of products and asset classes. Covering areas such as Credit, Macro Rates, and Risk Solutions, the team supports clients through market insights, trading, hedging strategies, pricing, and execution. It offers exposure to sales, trading, derivatives, financial markets analysis, and client-facing activities within a fast-paced environment.

Skills for success: strong quantitative and analytical skills, commercial awareness and interest in financial markets, ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, critical thinking and sound judgement, communication and relationship management, proactive approach to learning

Global Trade Finance Department (GTFD)

The Global Trade Finance Department supports clients with financing solutions that facilitate international trade and global supply chains. The team works across supply chain finance, structured trade and commodity finance, financial institutions trade solutions, and strategic business development initiatives. Working closely with clients and internal stakeholders, the department helps businesses manage working capital and trade flows across international markets.

Skills for success: analytical and research skills, commercial awareness, strong communication skills, attention to detail, ability to build relationships with stakeholders

Human Resources (HR)

The Human Resources team is responsible for developing and implementing SMBC's people strategy across the EMEA region. The department supports every stage of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, learning and development, reward, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, international mobility, talent management, and HR analytics. Students gain exposure to multiple areas of HR, providing a holistic view of how people strategies support business success.

Skills for success: strong interpersonal and communication skills, organisation and time management, attention to detail, Interest in people and workplace culture, ability to build relationships and work collaboratively

IT Security

The IT Security Department protects SMBC's systems, information, and operations against cyber threats. The team covers cyber governance, security engineering, risk management, resilience, policy development, and incident response. By ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining robust security controls, the department helps safeguard the organisation's technology infrastructure and data.

Skills for success: interest in technology and cyber security, investigative and problem-solving mindset, attention to detail, integrity and accountability, communication and collaboration skills, willingness to learn technical concepts

Leasing

Leasing provides asset finance solutions to clients across a range of sectors. The business manages the full lifecycle of leasing transactions, from deal origination and credit assessment through to finance, compliance, and portfolio management. Working alongside teams across the wider SMBC Group, the department offers insight into how asset-backed financing supports clients' investment and growth objectives.

Skills for success: commercial awareness, numerical and analytical capability, relationship-building skills, organisation and time management, communication and influencing skills, interest in asset finance and banking

Legal

The Legal Department manages SMBC's legal risk framework across the EMEA region. The team supports a wide range of banking activities by providing legal advice, drafting and reviewing documentation, supporting complex transactions, managing relationships with external law firms, and monitoring legal and regulatory developments. It advises on areas including banking, financial markets, employment law, data protection, and emerging topics such as artificial intelligence and ESG.

Skills for success: strong written and verbal communication skills, analytical thinking, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple priorities, teamwork and collaboration, curiosity and desire to learn about financial regulation and law

Loan Capital Markets

Loan Capital Markets acts as the bridge between corporate clients and financial markets, helping structure, price, execute, and syndicate loan transactions. The team works across investment grade, leveraged finance, and project finance markets, supporting clients with large-scale financing solutions. It combines market analysis, transaction execution, relationship management, and strategic advisory work.

Skills for success: interest in corporate and investment banking, analytical and research skills, strong communication skills, commercial awareness, ability to work collaboratively, proactive and eager to learn

Risk Management Department (RMD)

The Risk Management Department helps ensure SMBC operates within its risk appetite while achieving its strategic objectives. The team develops and maintains risk frameworks, monitors key risks across the bank, and supports areas such as enterprise risk management, liquidity risk, capital planning, climate risk, and regulatory compliance. It plays a critical role in safeguarding the bank's long-term resilience and sustainable growth.

Skills for success: analytical and critical thinking skills, strong attention to detail, interest in risk, regulation, and financial markets, communication and stakeholder management skills, ability to interpret and present data, organisation and time management

Specialised Products Department (SPD)

The Specialised Products Department provides financing solutions across four key business areas: Leveraged Finance, Securitisation, Real Estate, and Subscription Finance. The team supports clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, from origination and execution through to portfolio management and ongoing monitoring. Its work combines financial analysis, deal execution, client engagement, and market research across a diverse range of financing products.

Skills for success: commercial awareness, strong analytical and quantitative skills, attention to detail, relationship-building capabilities, effective communication skills, ability to manage competing priorities

Structured Finance Department (SFD)

Structured Finance Department is one of SMBC's leading front-office businesses, providing financing solutions for large-scale infrastructure, energy, transportation, and sustainable development projects across the EMEA region. The team works on projects such as energy developments, transport infrastructure, healthcare facilities, affordable housing, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen, biofuels, carbon capture, electric vehicle infrastructure, and digital infrastructure. Working across a diverse range of sectors and geographies, SFD helps clients structure and finance complex projects while supporting SMBC's commitment to sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Skills for success: strong communication and relationship-building skills, analytical and problem-solving capabilities, commercial awareness and interest in infrastructure and sustainable finance, proactive attitude and willingness to learn, ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, strong attention to detail and organisational skills

Sustainability

The Sustainability team is responsible for helping SMBC deliver its sustainability strategy and support clients on their transition journeys. The department focuses on sustainable finance, ESG initiatives, climate-related priorities, governance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. Working across the business, the team helps embed sustainability into decision-making, risk management, and long-term business strategy.

Skills for success: passion for sustainability and ESG topics, strong communication skills, analytical and research capabilities, project management and organisational skills, curiosity and willingness to learn, stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills

Transportation Department (TPD)

The Transportation Department supports airlines, shipping companies, and other transportation clients around the world by providing financing solutions for major assets such as aircraft and ships. The team works across lending, credit risk, portfolio management, and capital markets activities, helping clients fund growth while managing financial and operational risks. It offers exposure to international markets, sustainable finance initiatives, and the aviation and maritime industries.

Skills for success: analytical and problem-solving skills, strong numerical capability, attention to detail, interest in aviation, shipping, or structured finance, ability to work with data and Excel, effective communication and teamwork skills

Transformation & Change Management Group (TCMG) and Project Management Office

The Transformation, Change & Project Management team helps drive strategic change across SMBC by delivering business and technology transformation initiatives that support the bank's long-term objectives. Working closely with business teams, senior leaders, and stakeholders across the organisation, the team oversees programme delivery, project management, business design, governance, change implementation, and portfolio planning. By ensuring projects are effectively planned, coordinated, and executed, the team enables SMBC to respond to evolving business, regulatory, and market demands while delivering sustainable value and organisational improvement.

Skills for success: strong communication and stakeholder management skills, organisation and project coordination capabilities, problem-solving and analytical thinking, attention to detail, adaptability and willingness to learn, ability to work collaboratively across team