Nomura Holdings Overview and Corporate Structure

Nomura Holdings, Inc. serves as the primary holding company for the Nomura Group, which stands as Japan’s largest investment bank and brokerage firm [2]. The organization provides a wide range of financial services, including investment and financing, to individual, institutional, and government clients on a global scale [2].

Key takeaways

• Nomura was founded in 1925 in Osaka by Tokushichi Nomura II [2].
• The group operates globally with regional headquarters in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, and New York [2].
• Nomura’s total assets under management are approximately $770 billion, following a recent acquisition agreement [2].
• The firm employs roughly 26,000 staff members worldwide [2].
• Nomura’s business divisions include retail, global markets, investment banking, merchant banking, and asset management [2].

Evolution of a Global Financial Institution

The history of the Nomura Group traces back to the establishment of Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. on December 25, 1925, as a spin-off from the securities department of Osaka Nomura Bank [2]. Initially focused on the bond market, the firm expanded its capabilities to include stock trading in 1938 and eventually went public in 1961 [2]. Over the decades, the company transitioned from a domestic Japanese entity into a global financial powerhouse, notably acquiring Lehman Brothers' Asian operations and European equities and investment banking units in 2008 [2].

The group manages its diverse operations through a keiretsu structure, where Nomura Holdings, Inc. maintains controlling stakes and manages financial assistance among its various member companies [2]. Key subsidiaries include Nomura Securities, which plays a central role in the group's core securities business, as well as Nomura Holding America Inc., Nomura Europe Holdings plc, and Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd [2]. The firm continues to expand its footprint, recently agreeing to acquire Macquarie’s U.S. and European public asset management business in a $1.8 billion all-cash deal expected to close by the end of 2025 [2].

Why it matters

Nomura’s strategic growth, particularly its international acquisitions, reflects its long-term objective of "Connecting Markets East & West" [2]. By integrating large-scale assets and expanding its investment management division, the firm aims to strengthen its position in global markets [2]. As the company moves toward finalizing its recent $1.8 billion acquisition, the integration of these new assets is expected to significantly increase its total assets under management, further cementing its role as a major player in the international financial landscape [2].