Nomura Holdings, inc.

The story of Nomura is a journey that began in the late 19th century, rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Tokushichi Nomura I. What started as a humble money changing business in Osaka laid the groundwork for a financial dynasty. It was his son, Tokushichi Nomura II, who truly propelled the family name onto the global stage. In 1925, with a team of just 84 employees, he established Nomura Securities, a company that would grow to become a titan of the financial world. From its inception, Nomura was guided by a core principle that remains central to its identity today: 'putting the customer first'. This client-centric approach, combined with a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, has been the driving force behind its expansion from a domestic Japanese securities house to a global financial services group with a presence in over 30 countries.

Nomura's history is marked by a series of strategic moves and a forward-thinking vision. As early as 1927, just two years after its founding, the firm opened a representative office in New York, signaling its international ambitions from the very beginning. This was a bold step for a Japanese securities company at the time. The firm initially focused on the bond market but expanded into equities in 1938. A significant milestone in its evolution was the establishment of the Nomura Research Institute in 1965, a spin-off from its in-house research department that dated back to 1906. This underscored a deep-seated commitment to research and thought leadership that continues to differentiate the firm. The acquisition of Lehman Brothers' Asian and European operations in 2008 was a transformative moment, significantly expanding Nomura's global footprint and capabilities, particularly in investment banking and equities. Today, Nomura stands as a testament to its founder's vision, connecting markets East and West and serving a diverse clientele of individuals, institutions, corporations, and governments with creative financial solutions.