We were planning to pause Real Estate Whispers this week because of spring break, but the news cycle had other plans! We’re coming to your inboxes this afternoon with a special edition of Real Estate Whispers, on the heels of today’s announcement that Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. is planning to bring 2,000 jobs to Charlotte.
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🎧 Listen to what went into bringing SMBC to the Queen City
To bring Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. to Charlotte, state officials had to study up on Japanese etiquette, such as the proper way to exchange business cards. During a second meeting with the company, North Carolina officials presented SMBC leaders with a gift, wrapped in the traditional Japanese style.
Gov. Josh Stein and a cohort of economic development officials also traveled to Japan in October, which Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, told Whispers was a big deal, considering the governor’s packed schedule, but it was an important statement to SMBC that the state was serious about recruiting the company.
Hirofumi (Hiro) Otsuka, the CEO of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.’s Americas division, speaks at a news conference on April 7 at the Carolina Theatre in uptown. Officials who include, from left, Lee Lilly, the state’s commerce secretary; Gov. Josh Stein and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles were on hand for the announcement. (Photo courtesy of the city of Charlotte)
The deal came to the EDPNC in early 2025 and culminated in the announcement by Stein this afternoon that SMBC will add 2,000 jobs in Charlotte by 2032. It’s one of the biggest job announcements in Charlotte in recent years.
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