Dec 11, 2025

Mizuho Financial Group’s CEO expressed optimism that momentum in investment banking will continue both at home and in the U.S., where Japan’s third-biggest lender has been expanding.

Tokyo-based Mizuho has completed the integration of U.S. boutique investment bank Greenhill & Co., which it purchased two years ago, and is now reaping the benefits, CEO Masahiro Kihara said in an interview on Thursday. "We’re now able to pursue large-scale M&A deals,” he said.

The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cut overnight will have a positive effect on Mizuho’s business in the U.S., Kihara said. "The momentum will continue probably, and that’s good for us.” He expects the Fed to reduce rates two or three more times.