banking

Mizuho completes European reorganization into a universal bank

Mizuho Financial Group announced that Amsterdam-based Mizuho Bank Europe, a subsidiary of Mizuho Bank, has merged with Frankfurt-based Mizuho Securities Europe, a subsidiary of Mizuho Securities. As the surviving entity, Mizuho Bank Europe has successfully commenced operations under its new universal bank structure, offering a fully integrated banking and securities business, as of April 7, 2025.

In the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, Mizuho focuses on primary market business and has recently gone through a period of transformation towards a Corporate and Investment Banking model, optimizing its entity/operating structure. In the EU, with its transition to a universal bank model, Mizuho Bank Europe will be better able to provide comprehensive financial services and meet its valued clients’ expectations.

Mizuho has reorganized its footprint in the EU into four offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Paris. As a result of the reorganization, all transactions booked in the Brussels, Dusseldorf, Milan, and Vienna offices have been transferred to Mizuho Bank Europe offices in other locations.

In responding to the changes in economic environments and the diversification of client needs, this transformation ensures an agile and sustainable business model. Mizuho will continue to expand its service capabilities on a global basis and will remain committed to strengthening its presence and competitiveness in EMEA’s financial markets.

MUFG Backs Finnish AI Cloud Firm Verda in USD 189m Unicorn Round

MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), the corporate venture capital arm of Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), has completed a strategic investment in Finnish cloud infrastructure provider Verda Cloud Oy. The commitment forms part of a broader $189 million financing round that has elevated Verda to unicorn status. The funding

From Balance Sheet Repair to Outward FDI: Ueda Decodes Japan's Persistent External Surplus and Corporate Saving Paradox

The 13th Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) convened against a fraught macroeconomic landscape defined by severe geopolitical tensions, energy supply shocks, an unprecedented global artificial intelligence investment surge, and widening international capital imbalances. Delivered at the IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C., the address

Standard Chartered's SC Ventures and SBI Group Back Soter Insure in Series B Second Close

Institutional digital asset insurer Soter Insure has secured strategic investments from SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered, and Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group in the second close of its Series B funding round. The second close also included follow-on participation from Token Bay Capital, which has backed

South Korea’s ATON Partners with Japan’s ALQOUZ to Target Surging Tokyo Cybersecurity Demand

South Korean digital security and authentication provider ATON has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese FinTech firm ALQOUZ to expand its enterprise security solutions into Japan. Under the agreement, the two companies will share commercial intelligence and jointly target corporate clients across Japan. ALQOUZ, a registered FinTech

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MUFG Backs Finnish AI Cloud Firm Verda in USD 189m Unicorn Round

From Balance Sheet Repair to Outward FDI: Ueda Decodes Japan's Persistent External Surplus and Corporate Saving Paradox

Standard Chartered's SC Ventures and SBI Group Back Soter Insure in Series B Second Close

South Korea’s ATON Partners with Japan’s ALQOUZ to Target Surging Tokyo Cybersecurity Demand