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posted 26 Jun 2009
People & places
Toshio Ishizuka takes over at SMBC as Orita exits for industry
Toshio Ishizuka has taken over as Global Head of Trade Finance at SMBC in London, following the departure of Toshihide Orita. Ishizuka had been head of SMBC’s global securities business since 2007 and, before that, was head of marketing for SMBC in
Orita left SMBC for Daifuku, a Tokyo-based manufacturer of automation machinery for car plants, logistics centres and high-tech industries, where he was appointed Head of Overseas Business Strategy, as of 1 June 2009. SMBC policy is to retire senior staff at 55, even though they cannot start drawing their pension for a further five years.
“Like all trade financiers, I have experienced that special buzz that comes from making money in markets where others feat to tread. Over the past 13 years, I have enjoyed the rollercoaster that is emerging markets with its dramatic crises and its many triumphs. It has been my privilege and delight to work with wonderful clients, including exporters, traders and banks, as well as with a fantastic team,” said Orita.
He added: “Now is still a very good time to be in trade. Although I am retiring from SMBC, I am not leaving the world of cross-border business.”
Orita was responsible for building up SMBC’s international trade finance operations, from a handful of staff to the creation of a global department with teams worldwide, all coordinated from
“In these risk-averse times, trade finance continues to have a very important role in international intermediation and risk hedging, and will be a key driver of the eventual recovery,” said Ishizuka.
Orita was profiled in the May 2009 issue of TFR. Please go to www.tfreview.com to read the article in full.
