SMBC Americas Dismissed Chief Operations Officer

The bank has appointed deputy CEO Masahiro Yoshimura to handle operations on an interim basis.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring navy architectural shapes and a single red vertical pillar, representing institutional change. — Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. has dismissed Greg Keeley as COO of its Americas division, appointing deputy CEO Masahiro Yoshimura as an interim replacement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. dismissed Greg Keeley from his role as chief operations officer for its Americas division. Deputy CEO Masahiro Yoshimura has assumed the role on an interim basis following the move announced by CEO Hiro Otsuka.

Why it matters

The leadership change arrives as the organization continues its push to scale operations in the United States. The transition follows the bank's recent strategic shifts regarding its digital banking offerings.

SMBC currently maintains a plan to add 2,000 jobs in Charlotte over the next six years. This follows the previous divestment of the Jenius digital platform, which included the sale of $2.3 billion in deposits to Axos Bank.

The players

Greg Keeley

He is the former chief operations officer of SMBC Americas who left the firm in September 2026.

Masahiro Yoshimura

He serves as the deputy CEO of SMBC Americas and has assumed the duties of chief operations officer on an interim basis.

Hiro Otsuka

He is the CEO of SMBC Americas who announced the leadership transition to staff.

SMBC Americas

This is the regional arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, a major global financial services group.

The details

CEO Hiro Otsuka communicated the immediate departure of Greg Keeley and the appointment of Masahiro Yoshimura to the staff via internal email. Yoshimura, who currently serves as deputy CEO of SMBC Americas, originally joined Sumitomo Bank in 1995 and returned to SMBC in 2011.

Masahiro Yoshimura joined Sumitomo Bank in 1995.
Yoshimura rejoined SMBC in 2011.
Greg Keeley joined SMBC in April 2025.
Keeley departed and Yoshimura assumed the interim role on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Keeley's professional bio was removed from the SMBC website on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the bank's strategic divestment of its Jenius digital banking assets, including the sale of $2.5 billion in loans and $2.7 billion in deposits to the Bank of Hope. These moves reflect a broader reorientation of corporate strategy as the institution attempts to consolidate its primary business operations in the region.

The executive turnover is unlikely to impact individual banking customers or retail accounts in the immediate term. However, the ongoing expansion in the Charlotte area remains a primary focus for the organization's growth and staffing strategy.

The takeaway

Large-scale corporate expansions often involve significant internal leadership adjustments as firms balance new growth targets with legacy operations. Employees and stakeholders should continue to monitor internal communications for updates on the bank's long-term staffing goals.