Working at Nomura Singapore: Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership

Nomura, a global financial company, spans 30+ countries, linking Eastern and Western markets, serving diverse clients. With divisions in Retail, Wholesale, and Investment Management, they prioritize employee well-being through "Nomura Ways of Working" for enhanced performance. In this blog post, Aniday will offer insight into Nomura Singapore's history, culture, benefits, and leadership.

General Information

With network extending across more than 30 countries, Nomura is a international operating financial services conglomerate. Bridging the gap between Eastern and Western markets, Nomura caters to the requirements of individuals, institutions, corporations, and governments through its three primary business divisions: Retail, Wholesale (encompassing Global Markets and Investment Banking), and Investment Management. 

Established in 1925, the company is rooted in a legacy of principled entrepreneurship, delivering innovative solutions and thoughtful leadership to its clients.

History

Origins: Sakaisuji Nomura Building

• Built in February 1924 (Taisho 13)

• Also known as Nomura Building, Osaka Nomura Bank Head Office, and Daiwa Bank Head Office

Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. (NSC) Establishment

• Founded on December 25, 1925, in Osaka

• Spin-off from Securities Dept. of Osaka Nomura Bank Co., Ltd. (present-day Resona Bank)

• Initial focus on the bond market

• Named after founder Tokushichi Nomura II, a wealthy Japanese businessman

• Osaka Nomura Bank established in 1918 based on the Mitsui zaibatsu model

NSC Historical Milestones

• Gained authority to trade stock in 1938

• Went public in 1961

• Lehman Brothers Acquisition (October 2008)

• Acquired Lehman Brothers Asian operations, European equities, and investment banking units

• Created one of the world's largest independent investment banks

• Assets under management reached ¥20,300bn (£138bn)

• Global headquarters for investment banking moved from Tokyo to London in April 2009

Greentech Acquisition (December 2019)

• Nomura announced the acquisition of Greentech Capital Advisors

• A boutique investment bank specializing in sustainable technology and infrastructure

• Transaction expected to close on March 31, 2020

• Greentech to be rebranded as "Nomura Greentech" and integrated into the Investment Banking franchise in the U.S.

Nomura Holdings and Member Companies

• Nomura Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of the Nomura Group

• Slogan: "Connecting Markets East & West"

• Operates as a keiretsu, maintaining a controlling stake of cross shareholdings

• Manages financial assistance among member companies to prevent hostile takeovers

Company Culture 

Nomura not only complies with the Japanese Labor Standards Act but also emphasizes workstyle innovation, health management, and targets for time and health. 

They prioritize the physical and mental well-being of employees, offering flexible working options for sustained comfort. In FY2022/23, they introduced "Nomura Ways of Working" to adapt to changing environments, promoting performance without time or location constraints, fostering communication, collaboration, and a healthy work-life balance. 

Measures include shortened hours, flextime, work from home, relocation programs, enhanced leave systems, and support for childbirth and childcare. They also prioritize health and safety in the workplace and considerate measures for departments with non-traditional working hours. Additionally, Nomura focuses on supporting career development for employees with disabilities, ensuring assignments align with individual capabilities through open discussions.

Employee Benefits

Insurance and Health Benefits:

• Health Care: Aetna PPO with cost-effective employee premium.

• Dental: Aetna Passive PPO offering in-network discounts with out-of-network flexibility. Cost-effective employee premium.

• Vision: VSP Vision Services Plan at no additional premium when enrolled in Aetna PPO.

• Life Insurance: Basic life insurance plan offered to all employees with the premium paid by Nomura. Optional Life Insurance available at an additional cost.

Financial and Retirement Benefits:

• Retirement: following government policy 

• Flex Spending Accounts: Employees may set aside a portion of their salary for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses, exempt from federal income, Social Security, and, in most cases, state and local taxes.

Time Off and Wellness Programs:

• On-Site Wellness Center: Available to all Nomura employees.

• Holidays: Nomura observes the New York Stock Exchange holiday schedule.

• Personal Days: Two personal days with pay each year for each full-time regular employee.

• Sick Days: Full-time employees accrue ten sick days per calendar year, carried over year-to-year (pro-rated during the first year).

• Vacation: Vacation allotment determined based on tenure and title. Speak to a Human Resources representative for more detail.

Employee Support Programs:

• Employee Assistance & Work/Life Programs: Resources to help employees cope with personal life issues.

• Transit & Parking Programs: Plans enabling employees to pay for eligible commuting expenses with tax-free dollars.

• Discounted Health Club Memberships.

• Nomura Sponsored Back-up Care: Back-up care program to support employees when experiencing a temporary breakdown in childcare arrangements.

Disability Programs:

• Disability: Short-term and long-term disability plans available to all employees.

Leadership 

• Kelvin Ho - Chief Executive Officer: Nomura announced the appointment of Kelvin Ho as the new head of Southeast Asia investment banking. Kelvin Ho takes over from Patrick Lee, who has departed from the company. 

• Saurabh Sharma - Executive Director: in charge of distribution in Asia, he shoulders the responsibility of expanding the client footprint in the region. His focus lies in simultaneously enhancing profitability across the client base. Saurabh collaborates closely with the quant team to implement effective spread management strategies. A proactive leader, he actively drives product development initiatives tailored for the Asian market and keeps a vigilant eye on emerging trends to maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

In Summary 

Nomura, a global financial company, spans 30+ countries, linking Eastern and Western markets, serving diverse clients. With divisions in Retail, Wholesale, and Investment Management, they prioritize employee well-being through "Nomura Ways of Working" for enhanced performance. Aniday has offered comprehensive insights into Nomura Singapore, encompassing its history, culture, benefits, and leadership.