Laurent Depus

Senior leadership positions in the financial services industry for over 35 years in Europe, South-East Asia and since 1988, in Japan. Experience in Banking, Securities, Trust Banking and Wealth Management. From 2003, contributor to key discussions on business, regulation and governance matters at the International Bankers Association of Japan (IBAJ). Appointed as a Director of IBAJ in 2012, Vice Chairman in 2020-2021, and Secretary General in 2024. Appointed as President of the European Business Council in Japan in January 2024. Ambassador for FinCity.Tokyo between December 2021- March 2024.

A Belgian citizen, Mr. Depus began his banking career in 1987 at The Chase Manhattan Bank in Luxembourg before moving to Tokyo in 1988 and London in 1995.

He joined BankBoston in Singapore in 1997 and returned to Japan to join Societe Generale in 2001. At Societe Generale he served in various roles, including COO of Corporate Investment Banking Japan, President & CEO of Societe Generale Securities North Pacific Japan, President & CEO of Societe Generale Private Banking Japan Ltd. and Chief Country Officer, Societe Generale Group Japan.

In 2013, he joined SMBC Trust Bank as Chairman and Director upon the acquisition by SMBC of the Societe Generale Trust Banking license.

He has served as a Director of the Board at SMBC Trust Bank since its establishment.

From late 2014 until October 2021, he served as Natixis Senior Country Manager for Japan, President & Representative Director of Natixis Japan Securities Co., Ltd. and member of the Executive Committee of Natixis CIB Asia Pacific.

Mr. Depus studied linguistics in Belgium, Spain and the UK. He is a graduate of Institut Libre Marie Haps, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.