• Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "SMFG"; 
  Mr. Teisuke Kitayama, President);
• Sumitomo Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "SC"; Mr. Susumu Kato, President and CEO); and
• Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (hereinafter referred to as "SMFL"; Mr. Koji Ishida, President)

announced that SMFG and SC changed their shareholding ratio of SMFL, effective today, as follows:

1. Details of the change in shareholding ratio

2. Reasons of the change in shareholding ratio
SMFG and SC changed their shareholding ratio of SMFL by means of (i) SMFG's purchase of SMFL's stock owned by SC and (ii) a share buy-back transaction by SMFL, aiming to enhance SMFL's strategic position within SMFG group and optimize SMFL's capital efficiency.

As described in the press release dated July 30, 2007, entitled "Final Agreement concerning Strategic Joint Business in Leasing and Auto Leasing Businesses and Merger Agreement of the Two Businesses," both SC group and SMFG group have positioned their leasing business (through SMFL) and their auto leasing business (through Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service Company, Limited) as strategic joint businesses, and continue to cooperate fully as parent companies to render assistance to the fullest extent for the development of both businesses.

•  Financial & Logistics Business Unit

• Final Agreement concerning Strategic Joint Business in Leasing and Auto Leasing Businesses and Merger Agreement of the Two Businesses (210KB/PDF)