Retail

Overview

Nomura delivers a broad range of financial services to individual and corporate clients through 177 branch offices (As of October 2011) as well as call centers and online services. To offer services tailored to each client's needs, we provide consulting-based services at all our branch offices in Japan. We establish new branch offices well-suited to the areas where we do business, and we promote close teamwork among branches to improve convenience for our clients. To respond more quickly and accurately to clients' needs, we also provide our services through online and call center channels. We will continue our efforts to provide world-class products and services closely matched to our clients' needs and remain the most trusted partner for our clients.

Business Environment

Retail investors in Japan face an uncertain environment both at home and abroad. Domestically, the tax and pension systems are in need of reform. Internationally, the rise of emerging markets is causing structural changes globally. Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace and information now spreads around the world instantly. This is changing people's values, affecting the way we live and work, and prompting a shift in consumer behavior. Social networking is another overriding trend driving unprecedented globalization and accelerating the pace of change.

Meanwhile, over half of Japan's personal financial assets remain parked in savings and deposit accounts despite calls to promote a shift from savings to investment. This reflects the uncertainty people feel over the future.

Given this environment, the financial needs of Japanese retail investors are becoming increasingly diverse and more sophisticated. They demand customized solutions that meet their individual circumstances. In response, financial institutions must play a more central role to contribute to economic and social development.

Following the global financial crisis, financial service firms around the world face intense competition. They are refocusing their operations in order to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Our focus in Retail remains unchanged: to be our clients' most trusted partner. We are committed to delivering world-class products and services tailored to the needs of each client through our branch office network, call centers, and online.

Wealth Management

The wealth management environment in Asia and the Middle East has evolved rapidly and the needs of affluent clients are becoming more diverse and complex.

Nomura's Wealth Management team works closely with our high-net-worth clients in these regions to help them invest, grow, manage and preserve their wealth.

Backed by Nomura's 85 years of rich heritage, a strong footprint in Asia and an international network of over 27,000 people in more than 30 countries, we provide a wide variety of products and services that meet our clients' financial planning needs.

As one of our founder's principles, we always place our clients' interests before our own. With this client-focused approach, our wealth managers focus on understanding the needs of our clients, and developing customized solutions based on their financial goals and risk appetite. Our clients can also expect the high quality services that Japan is renowned for.

Through close collaboration with Nomura's various business groups including Equities, Fixed Income, Investment Banking, and Global Research, our Wealth Management team is able to offer a suite of services that meet the increasingly complex requirements of our clients.

Looking Forward

The outlook for the business environment remains uncertain. The earthquake in Japan has had a significant impact not only on the economy and society as a whole, but also on investor sentiment. While we expect this situation to improve as reconstruction efforts progress, we must remain vigilant.

As a financial services firm active in the capital markets, Nomura will play a central role in ensuring the smooth flow of funds in the Japanese economy. With over half of the country's personal financial assets still held as cash and deposits, we see it as our responsibility to provide financial products that meet retail investor needs and help them diversify their assets. This in turn will revitalize Japan's economy.

We will continue to implement our six strategic initiatives with the aim of increasing Retail client assets to 100 trillion yen by March 2014. To reach our goal, we will closely link our strategies and further develop each initiative. We will offer comprehensive training for our people and enhance our product lineup to better meet the needs of our clients. This is essential to ensure we provide a higher level of face-to-face consulting services.

In our branch network, we will continue to open new offices and increase collaboration between branches. Another important initiative is to enhance our online and call center services to offer a better client experience. To drive efficiencies, we will introduce the latest technologies into each strategic initiative.

As we build up our capabilities, we remain committed to taking our Retail operations to the next level and creating an organization that contributes to our clients, regional economies, and society through our core business.