UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of September 2023
Commission File Number 001-34919
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Translation of registrants name into English)
1-2, Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: | Form 20-F ☒ | or | Form 40-F ☐ |
THE INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS SET FORTH IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROSPECTUS FORMING A PART OF SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-3 (FILE NO. 333-273003) AND TO BE A PART OF SUCH PROSPECTUS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.
EXHIBIT INDEX
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Fumihiko Ito | |||
Name: | Fumihiko Ito | |||
Title: | Senior Managing Executive Officer Group Chief Financial Officer |
Date: September 14, 2023
Exhibit 4.1
[FORM OF 5.716% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028]
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERENCED AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE AND THE TERMS OF THIS SECURITY, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE. TRANSFER OF A PORTION OF THIS SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE. IN THE EVENT THAT THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, ALL SUCH INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES IN THE FORM OF DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES SHALL CONTAIN THE BELOW LEGEND WITH RESPECT TO JAPANESE TAXATION.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, TO SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (THE ISSUER) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE OR ANY PORTION HEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THIS SECURITY WILL GENERALLY BE SUBJECT TO JAPANESE WITHHOLDING TAX UNLESS IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT THIS SECURITY IS HELD BY OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A BENEFICIAL OWNER THAT IS (I) FOR JAPANESE TAX PURPOSES, NEITHER AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A JAPANESE CORPORATION, NOR AN INDIVIDUAL NON-RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A NON-JAPANESE CORPORATION THAT IN EITHER CASE IS A PERSON HAVING A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ISSUER AS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 6, PARAGRAPH (4) OF THE ACT ON SPECIAL MEASURES CONCERNING TAXATION OF JAPAN (ACT NO. 26 OF 1957, AS AMENDED) (THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT AND, EACH SUCH PERSON, A SPECIALLY-RELATED PERSON OF THE ISSUER), (II) A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DESIGNATED IN ARTICLE 6, PARAGRAPH (11) OF THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THAT PARAGRAPH OR (III) A JAPANESE PUBLIC CORPORATION, A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OR A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BUSINESS OPERATOR DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 3-3, PARAGRAPH (6) OF THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THAT PARAGRAPH.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THIS SECURITY TO AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT OF JAPAN, TO A JAPANESE CORPORATION (EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH), OR TO AN INDIVIDUAL NON-RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A NON-JAPANESE CORPORATION THAT IN EITHER CASE IS A SPECIALLY-RELATED PERSON OF THE ISSUER WILL BE SUBJECT TO DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF JAPANESE INCOME TAX AT A RATE OF 15.315% (15% ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2038) OF THE AMOUNT OF SUCH INTEREST.
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
GLOBAL SECURITY
5.716% Senior Notes due 2028
No. [ ] |
U.S.$[ ] |
CUSIP No. 86562M DG2
ISIN US86562MDG24
Common Code 267274509
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., a joint stock company (kabushiki kaisha) incorporated under the laws of Japan (the Issuer, which term includes any successor under the Indenture referred to on the reverse of this Security) for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] U.S. Dollars on September 14, 2028 and to pay interest thereon from September 14, 2023 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually in arrears on March 14 and September 14 in each year (each, an Interest Payment Date) commencing March 14, 2024 at the rate per annum of 5.716%, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, all subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The semiannual interest to be paid on the Securities will amount to U.S.$28.58 per U.S.$1,000 in nominal amount of the Securities.
For the purposes of this Security, the term Business Day means any day which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, London or Tokyo are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person in whose name this Security is registered as of the close of business on the fifteenth day before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). If and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, such defaulted interest shall be paid to the person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which date shall not be less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest), established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holder of this Security not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. Interest on this Security will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If any payment is due on the Securities on a day that is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the day that is the next succeeding Business Day without any additional interest as a result of such delay. Payments postponed to the next Business Day in this situation will be treated under the Indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under the Securities or the Indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.
The principal of, and interest and Additional Amounts on, the Securities will be payable in U.S. dollars. The Issuer will cause the Trustee, or the paying agent, if any, to pay such amounts, on the dates payment is to be made, directly to The Depository Trust Company (DTC).
The Issuer will pay the Holder hereof Additional Amounts with respect to withholding taxes as are provided for, and subject to the conditions stated, on the reverse of this Security.
This Security is being deposited with DTC acting as depository, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC. As Holder of record of this Security, Cede & Co. shall be entitled to receive payments of principal and interest. Payments of principal and interest, including any Additional Amounts, on this Security shall be made in the manner specified on the reverse hereof and, to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions set forth herein, in the Indenture referred herein.
The Securities constitute the direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu without any preference among themselves and with all other unsecured obligations of the Issuer, other than subordinated obligations of the Issuer and except for statutorily preferred obligations. The Securities are not redeemable prior to maturity, except as set forth on the reverse of this Security and will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been manually executed by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Security to be duly executed.
Date: September , 2023
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL | ||
By: |
| |
Name: [ ] | ||
Title: [ ] |
[Signature page to Global Security 5-year Note No. [ ]]
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date: September 14, 2023
The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Authentication Certificate: Global Security 5-year Note No. [ ]]
[REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
5.716% Senior Notes due 2028
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., a joint stock company (kabushiki kaisha) organized under the laws of Japan (herein called the Issuer, which term includes any successor person under the Indenture hereinafter referred) designated as its 5.716% Senior Notes due 2028 (herein called the Securities), issued under and pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of March 9, 2016, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 16, 2019 (hereinafter called the Indenture), between the Issuer and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (herein called the Trustee, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and any other indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent, the Issuer and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are issued and are to be authenticated and delivered.
This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof. By the terms of the Indenture, additional Securities of this series and of other separate series, which may vary as to denomination, date, amount, stated maturity (if any), interest rate or method of calculating the interest rate and in other respects as therein provided, may be issued in an unlimited amount.
The principal of and interest (and any Additional Amounts) on the Securities shall be payable in U.S. Dollars or in such other coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. So long as any of the Securities are held in global form, payments of principal and interest on such Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to a bank account in The City of New York designated by the Holder of this Registered Global Security. Otherwise, (i) the principal amount of the Securities will be payable by check, drawn on a bank in The City of New York, upon the presentation and surrender of the Securities at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Issuer for such purpose and (ii) interest on the Securities will be payable by check, drawn on a bank in The City of New York, mailed to the persons in whose names the Securities are registered as of the close of business on the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date (or the subsequent record date in the case of a defaulted interest payment) at the addresses of such persons as shall appear in the Security register of the Issuer; provided, however, that at the option of a Holder in whose name at least U.S.$1,000,000 principal amount of Securities are registered, all payments in respect of the Securities may be received by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account in The City of New York designated by such Holder in a written notice received by the Trustee (a) in the case of an interest payment, prior to the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the Interest Payment Date on which such payment is due and (b) in the case of payment of principal, prior to the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the date of redemption or maturity, as the case may be; provided, however, that in the case of such a payment of principal, the Securities shall have been surrendered to the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Issuer for such purpose for payment together with such notice.
All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Securities will be made by the Issuer without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Japan, or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (Taxes) unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer shall pay to a Holder such additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as will result in the receipt by the Holder of such amounts as would have been received by it had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no such Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to any Securities under any of the following circumstances:
(i) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities is an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation and is liable for such Taxes in respect of such Securities by reason of its (A) having some connection with Japan other than the mere holding of such Securities or (B) being a person having a special relationship with the Issuer as described in Article 6, paragraph (4) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Taxation of Japan (Act No. 26 of 1957, as amended) (the Special Taxation Measures Act and, each such person, a specially-related person of the Issuer); |
(ii) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities would otherwise be exempt from any such withholding or deduction but fails to comply with any applicable requirement to provide Interest Recipient Information (as defined below) or to submit a Tax Exemption Application (as defined below) to the relevant paying agent to whom the relevant Securities are presented (where presentation is required), or whose Interest Recipient Information is not duly communicated through the relevant Participant (as defined below) and the relevant international Clearing Organization to such paying agent; |
(iii) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities is for Japanese tax purposes treated as an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation (except for (A) a Designated Financial Institution (as defined below) that complies with the requirement to provide Interest Recipient Information or to submit a Tax Exemption Application and (B) an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation that duly notifies (directly or through the relevant Participant or otherwise) the relevant paying agent of its status as not being subject to withholding or deduction by the Issuer by reason of receipt by such individual resident of Japan or Japanese corporation of interest on the relevant Securities through a payment handling agent in Japan appointed by it); |
(iv) | the withholding or deduction is imposed on a payment pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive amending, supplementing or implementing such Directive, or any law implementing such directives; |
(v) | the Securities are presented for payment (where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the day on which such payment on the Securities became due or after the full payment was provided for, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the Holder thereof would have been entitled to Additional Amounts on presenting the same for payment on the last day of such period of 30 days; |
(vi) | the withholding or deduction is imposed on a Holder or beneficial owner who could have avoided such withholding or deduction by presenting its Securities (where presentation is required) to another paying agent maintained by the Issuer; |
(vii) | the Holder is a fiduciary or partnership or is not the sole beneficial owner of the payment of the principal of, or any interest on, any Security, and Japanese law requires the payment to be included for tax purposes in the income of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner, in each case, who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Security; or |
(viii) | any combination of the above. |
No Additional Amounts will be payable for or on account of any deduction or withholding imposed pursuant to Sections 1471-1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder (FATCA), any intergovernmental agreement entered into with respect to FATCA, or any law, regulation or other official guidance enacted or published in any jurisdiction implementing, or relating to, FATCA or any intergovernmental agreement.
Where Securities are held through a participant of an international Clearing Organization or a financial intermediary (each, a Participant), in order to receive payments free of withholding or deduction by the Issuer for or on account of Taxes, if the relevant beneficial owner is (A) an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation (other than a specially-related person of the Issuer) or (B) a Japanese financial institution falling under certain categories prescribed by the Special Taxation Measures Act (a Designated Financial Institution), each such beneficial owner shall, at the time of entrusting a Participant with the custody of the relevant Securities, provide certain information prescribed by the Special Taxation Measures Act to enable the Participant to establish that such beneficial owner is exempted from the requirement for withholding or deduction of such Taxes (Interest Recipient Information), and advise the Participant if the beneficial owner ceases to be so exempted (including the case in which a beneficial owner who is an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation becomes a specially-related person of the Issuer).
Where Securities are not held through a Participant, in order to receive payments free of withholding or deduction by the Issuer for, or on account of, Taxes, if the relevant beneficial owner is (A) an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation (other than a specially-related person of the Issuer) or (B) a Designated Financial Institution, each such beneficial owner shall, prior to each time at which it receives interest, submit to the relevant paying agent a written application for tax exemption (hikazei tekiyo shinkokusho) (a Tax Exemption Application), in a form obtainable from the paying agent stating, inter alia, the name and address (and, if applicable, the Japanese individual or corporation ID number) of the beneficial owner, the title of the Securities, the relevant Interest Payment Date, the amount of interest and the fact that the beneficial owner is qualified to submit the Tax Exemption Application, together with documentary evidence regarding its identity and residence.
By subscribing to the Securities as part of the distribution by the underwriters under the applicable underwriting agreement, an investor shall be deemed to have represented that it is a beneficial owner who is, (i) for Japanese tax purposes, neither an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation, nor an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation that in either case is a specially-related person of the Issuer or (ii) a Designated Financial Institution.
The Issuer shall make any required withholding or deduction and remit the full amount withheld or deducted to the Japanese taxing authority in accordance with applicable law. The Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge so withheld or deducted from the Japanese taxing authority imposing such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge, and if certified copies are not available, the Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to obtain other evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall make such certified copies or other evidence available to the Holders upon reasonable request to the Trustee.
If (i) subsequent to making a payment on this Security without withholding or deduction of Japanese taxes the Issuer is required to remit to the Japanese taxing authority any amount in respect of Japanese taxes that should have been withheld or deducted from such payment (together with any interest and penalties) due to the failure of the beneficial owner to provide accurate Interest Recipient Information or to otherwise properly claim an exemption from Japanese taxes imposed with respect to such payment, and (ii) such beneficial owner would not have been entitled to receive Additional Amounts with respect to such payment had Japanese taxes been withheld from the payment when it was made, such beneficial owner (but not any subsequent beneficial owner of such Security) shall be required to reimburse the Issuer, in Japanese yen, for the amount remitted by the Issuer to the Japanese taxing authority.
The obligation to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges shall not apply to (A) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or any similar tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge or (B) any tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of principal of or interest on this Security; provided that, except as otherwise set forth herein and in the Indenture, the Issuer shall pay all stamp, court or documentary taxes or any excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by Japan, the United States or any political subdivision or any taxing authority thereof or therein, with respect to the execution and enforcement of the Indenture or as a consequence of the initial issuance, execution, delivery or registration of this Security.
The Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, in whole, but not in part, subject to prior confirmation of the FSA, if such confirmation is required under applicable Japanese laws or regulations then in effect, at any time, on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of redemption to the Holders of the series to be redeemed (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall conform to all requirements with respect to such notice as set forth in the Indenture) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities together with any accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Amounts with respect thereto, if any) to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, if the Issuer is or will be obliged to pay Additional Amounts as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of Japan or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax, or any change in application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date of the issuance of the relevant series of Securities and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer through the taking of reasonable measures available to the Issuer; provided, that no such notice of redemption shall be given sooner than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such Additional Amounts were a payment then due in respect of the relevant Securities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Securities, each Holder and the Trustee acknowledge, consent and agree (a) for a period of 30 days from and including the date upon which the Prime Minister of Japan confirms that Specified Item 2 Measures (tokutei dai nigo sochi) should be applied to the Issuer, not to initiate any action to attach any of the Issuers assets, the attachment of which has been prohibited by designation of the Prime Minister of Japan pursuant to Article 126-16 of the Deposit Insurance Act, and (b) to any transfer of the Issuers assets (including shares of the Issuers subsidiaries) or liabilities, or any portions thereof, with permission of a Japanese court in accordance with Article 126-13 of the Deposit Insurance Act, including any such transfer made pursuant to the authority of the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan to represent and manage and dispose of the Issuers assets under Article 126-5 of the Deposit Insurance Act, and that any such transfer shall not constitute a sale or disposal of the Issuers properties or assets for the purpose of Article 8 of the Indenture.
Subject to applicable law, each Holder of Securities, by acceptance of any interest in the Securities, agrees that it will not, and waives its right to, exercise, claim or plead any right of set off, compensation or retention in respect of any amount owed to it by the Issuer arising under, or in connection with, the Securities or the Indenture.
The Issuer shall, as soon as practicable after the Prime Minister of Japan has confirmed that Specified Item 2 Measures (tokutei dai nigo sochi) should be applied to the Issuer or a Japanese court has publicly announced that it has granted permission to a transfer of the Issuers assets (including shares of the Issuers subsidiaries) or liabilities, or any portions thereof, in accordance with Article 126-13 of the Deposit Insurance Act, deliver a written notice of such event to the Holders and beneficial owners of the Securities through DTC and to the Trustee. Any failure or delay by the Issuer to provide such written notice shall not change or delay the effect of the acknowledgement, consent and agreement described in the preceding paragraph.
A Holder of Securities issued in definitive form may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. As described in the legend on the face of this global Security, interest payments on such Securities issued in definitive form will be subject to Japanese income taxation unless the Holder establishes the matters set forth therein. Such legend concerning Japanese taxation shall also be included on the face of any Securities issued in definitive form. The security registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer will treat the registered Holder of a Security as the owner of that Security for all purposes, except as described above.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected (voting as one class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place where the principal of and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the security registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S.$200,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange; provided, however, the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name this Security is registered upon the Security register as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, as herein prescribed.
This Security is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
Exhibit 4.2
[FORM OF 5.808% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2033]
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERENCED AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE AND THE TERMS OF THIS SECURITY, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE. TRANSFER OF A PORTION OF THIS SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE. IN THE EVENT THAT THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, ALL SUCH INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES IN THE FORM OF DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES SHALL CONTAIN THE BELOW LEGEND WITH RESPECT TO JAPANESE TAXATION.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, TO SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (THE ISSUER) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE OR ANY PORTION HEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THIS SECURITY WILL GENERALLY BE SUBJECT TO JAPANESE WITHHOLDING TAX UNLESS IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT THIS SECURITY IS HELD BY OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A BENEFICIAL OWNER THAT IS (I) FOR JAPANESE TAX PURPOSES, NEITHER AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A JAPANESE CORPORATION, NOR AN INDIVIDUAL NON-RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A NON-JAPANESE CORPORATION THAT IN EITHER CASE IS A PERSON HAVING A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ISSUER AS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 6, PARAGRAPH (4) OF THE ACT ON SPECIAL MEASURES CONCERNING TAXATION OF JAPAN (ACT NO. 26 OF 1957, AS AMENDED) (THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT AND, EACH SUCH PERSON, A SPECIALLY-RELATED PERSON OF THE ISSUER), (II) A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DESIGNATED IN ARTICLE 6, PARAGRAPH (11) OF THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THAT PARAGRAPH OR (III) A JAPANESE PUBLIC CORPORATION, A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OR A JAPANESE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BUSINESS OPERATOR DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 3-3, PARAGRAPH (6) OF THE SPECIAL TAXATION MEASURES ACT WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THAT PARAGRAPH.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THIS SECURITY TO AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT OF JAPAN, TO A JAPANESE CORPORATION (EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH), OR TO AN INDIVIDUAL NON-RESIDENT OF JAPAN OR A NON-JAPANESE CORPORATION THAT IN EITHER CASE IS A SPECIALLY-RELATED PERSON OF THE ISSUER WILL BE SUBJECT TO DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF JAPANESE INCOME TAX AT A RATE OF 15.315% (15% ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2038) OF THE AMOUNT OF SUCH INTEREST.
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
GLOBAL SECURITY
5.808% Senior Notes due 2033
No. [ ] |
U.S.$[ ] |
CUSIP No. 86562M DJ6
ISIN US86562MDJ62
Common Code 267274533
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., a joint stock company (kabushiki kaisha) incorporated under the laws of Japan (the Issuer, which term includes any successor under the Indenture referred to on the reverse of this Security) for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] U.S. Dollars on September 14, 2033 and to pay interest thereon from September 14, 2023 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually in arrears on March 14 and September 14 in each year (each, an Interest Payment Date) commencing March 14, 2024 at the rate per annum of 5.808%, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, all subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The semiannual interest to be paid on the Securities will amount to U.S.$29.04 per U.S.$1,000 in nominal amount of the Securities.
For the purposes of this Security, the term Business Day means any day which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, London or Tokyo are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person in whose name this Security is registered as of the close of business on the fifteenth day before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). If and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, such defaulted interest shall be paid to the person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which date shall not be less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest), established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holder of this Security not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. Interest on this Security will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If any payment is due on the Securities on a day that is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the day that is the next succeeding Business Day without any additional interest as a result of such delay. Payments postponed to the next Business Day in this situation will be treated under the Indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under the Securities or the Indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.
The principal of, and interest and Additional Amounts on, the Securities will be payable in U.S. dollars. The Issuer will cause the Trustee, or the paying agent, if any, to pay such amounts, on the dates payment is to be made, directly to The Depository Trust Company (DTC).
The Issuer will pay the Holder hereof Additional Amounts with respect to withholding taxes as are provided for, and subject to the conditions stated, on the reverse of this Security.
This Security is being deposited with DTC acting as depository, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC. As Holder of record of this Security, Cede & Co. shall be entitled to receive payments of principal and interest. Payments of principal and interest, including any Additional Amounts, on this Security shall be made in the manner specified on the reverse hereof and, to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions set forth herein, in the Indenture referred herein.
The Securities constitute the direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu without any preference among themselves and with all other unsecured obligations of the Issuer, other than subordinated obligations of the Issuer and except for statutorily preferred obligations. The Securities are not redeemable prior to maturity, except as set forth on the reverse of this Security and will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been manually executed by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Security to be duly executed.
Date: September , 2023
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL | ||
By: |
| |
Name: [ ] | ||
Title: [ ] |
[Signature page to Global Security 10-year Note No. [ ]]
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date: September 14, 2023
The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Authentication Certificate: Global Security 10-year Note No. [ ]]
[REVERSE OF SECURITY]
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
5.808% Senior Notes due 2033
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., a joint stock company (kabushiki kaisha) organized under the laws of Japan (herein called the Issuer, which term includes any successor person under the Indenture hereinafter referred) designated as its 5.808% Senior Notes due 2033 (herein called the Securities), issued under and pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of March 9, 2016, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 16, 2019 (hereinafter called the Indenture), between the Issuer and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (herein called the Trustee, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and any other indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent, the Issuer and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are issued and are to be authenticated and delivered.
This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof. By the terms of the Indenture, additional Securities of this series and of other separate series, which may vary as to denomination, date, amount, stated maturity (if any), interest rate or method of calculating the interest rate and in other respects as therein provided, may be issued in an unlimited amount.
The principal of and interest (and any Additional Amounts) on the Securities shall be payable in U.S. Dollars or in such other coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. So long as any of the Securities are held in global form, payments of principal and interest on such Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to a bank account in The City of New York designated by the Holder of this Registered Global Security. Otherwise, (i) the principal amount of the Securities will be payable by check, drawn on a bank in The City of New York, upon the presentation and surrender of the Securities at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Issuer for such purpose and (ii) interest on the Securities will be payable by check, drawn on a bank in The City of New York, mailed to the persons in whose names the Securities are registered as of the close of business on the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date (or the subsequent record date in the case of a defaulted interest payment) at the addresses of such persons as shall appear in the Security register of the Issuer; provided, however, that at the option of a Holder in whose name at least U.S.$1,000,000 principal amount of Securities are registered, all payments in respect of the Securities may be received by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account in The City of New York designated by such Holder in a written notice received by the Trustee (a) in the case of an interest payment, prior to the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the Interest Payment Date on which such payment is due and (b) in the case of payment of principal, prior to the record date which is at least five Business Days preceding the date of redemption or maturity, as the case may be; provided, however, that in the case of such a payment of principal, the Securities shall have been surrendered to the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any office or agency maintained by the Issuer for such purpose for payment together with such notice.
All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Securities will be made by the Issuer without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of Japan, or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (Taxes) unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer shall pay to a Holder such additional amounts (Additional Amounts) as will result in the receipt by the Holder of such amounts as would have been received by it had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no such Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to any Securities under any of the following circumstances:
(i) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities is an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation and is liable for such Taxes in respect of such Securities by reason of its (A) having some connection with Japan other than the mere holding of such Securities or (B) being a person having a special relationship with the Issuer as described in Article 6, paragraph (4) of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Taxation of Japan (Act No. 26 of 1957, as amended) (the Special Taxation Measures Act and, each such person, a specially-related person of the Issuer); |
(ii) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities would otherwise be exempt from any such withholding or deduction but fails to comply with any applicable requirement to provide Interest Recipient Information (as defined below) or to submit a Tax Exemption Application (as defined below) to the relevant paying agent to whom the relevant Securities are presented (where presentation is required), or whose Interest Recipient Information is not duly communicated through the relevant Participant (as defined below) and the relevant international Clearing Organization to such paying agent; |
(iii) | the Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities is for Japanese tax purposes treated as an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation (except for (A) a Designated Financial Institution (as defined below) that complies with the requirement to provide Interest Recipient Information or to submit a Tax Exemption Application and (B) an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation that duly notifies (directly or through the relevant Participant or otherwise) the relevant paying agent of its status as not being subject to withholding or deduction by the Issuer by reason of receipt by such individual resident of Japan or Japanese corporation of interest on the relevant Securities through a payment handling agent in Japan appointed by it); |
(iv) | the withholding or deduction is imposed on a payment pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive amending, supplementing or implementing such Directive, or any law implementing such directives; |
(v) | the Securities are presented for payment (where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the day on which such payment on the Securities became due or after the full payment was provided for, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the Holder thereof would have been entitled to Additional Amounts on presenting the same for payment on the last day of such period of 30 days; |
(vi) | the withholding or deduction is imposed on a Holder or beneficial owner who could have avoided such withholding or deduction by presenting its Securities (where presentation is required) to another paying agent maintained by the Issuer; |
(vii) | the Holder is a fiduciary or partnership or is not the sole beneficial owner of the payment of the principal of, or any interest on, any Security, and Japanese law requires the payment to be included for tax purposes in the income of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner, in each case, who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of such Security; or |
(viii) | any combination of the above. |
No Additional Amounts will be payable for or on account of any deduction or withholding imposed pursuant to Sections 1471-1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder (FATCA), any intergovernmental agreement entered into with respect to FATCA, or any law, regulation or other official guidance enacted or published in any jurisdiction implementing, or relating to, FATCA or any intergovernmental agreement.
Where Securities are held through a participant of an international Clearing Organization or a financial intermediary (each, a Participant), in order to receive payments free of withholding or deduction by the Issuer for or on account of Taxes, if the relevant beneficial owner is (A) an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation (other than a specially-related person of the Issuer) or (B) a Japanese financial institution falling under certain categories prescribed by the Special Taxation Measures Act (a Designated Financial Institution), each such beneficial owner shall, at the time of entrusting a Participant with the custody of the relevant Securities, provide certain information prescribed by the Special Taxation Measures Act to enable the Participant to establish that such beneficial owner is exempted from the requirement for withholding or deduction of such Taxes (Interest Recipient Information), and advise the Participant if the beneficial owner ceases to be so exempted (including the case in which a beneficial owner who is an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation becomes a specially-related person of the Issuer).
Where Securities are not held through a Participant, in order to receive payments free of withholding or deduction by the Issuer for, or on account of, Taxes, if the relevant beneficial owner is (A) an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation (other than a specially-related person of the Issuer) or (B) a Designated Financial Institution, each such beneficial owner shall, prior to each time at which it receives interest, submit to the relevant paying agent a written application for tax exemption (hikazei tekiyo shinkokusho) (a Tax Exemption Application), in a form obtainable from the paying agent stating, inter alia, the name and address (and, if applicable, the Japanese individual or corporation ID number) of the beneficial owner, the title of the Securities, the relevant Interest Payment Date, the amount of interest and the fact that the beneficial owner is qualified to submit the Tax Exemption Application, together with documentary evidence regarding its identity and residence.
By subscribing to the Securities as part of the distribution by the underwriters under the applicable underwriting agreement, an investor shall be deemed to have represented that it is a beneficial owner who is, (i) for Japanese tax purposes, neither an individual resident of Japan or a Japanese corporation, nor an individual non-resident of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation that in either case is a specially-related person of the Issuer or (ii) a Designated Financial Institution.
The Issuer shall make any required withholding or deduction and remit the full amount withheld or deducted to the Japanese taxing authority in accordance with applicable law. The Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge so withheld or deducted from the Japanese taxing authority imposing such tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge, and if certified copies are not available, the Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to obtain other evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall make such certified copies or other evidence available to the Holders upon reasonable request to the Trustee.
If (i) subsequent to making a payment on this Security without withholding or deduction of Japanese taxes the Issuer is required to remit to the Japanese taxing authority any amount in respect of Japanese taxes that should have been withheld or deducted from such payment (together with any interest and penalties) due to the failure of the beneficial owner to provide accurate Interest Recipient Information or to otherwise properly claim an exemption from Japanese taxes imposed with respect to such payment, and (ii) such beneficial owner would not have been entitled to receive Additional Amounts with respect to such payment had Japanese taxes been withheld from the payment when it was made, such beneficial owner (but not any subsequent beneficial owner of such Security) shall be required to reimburse the Issuer, in Japanese yen, for the amount remitted by the Issuer to the Japanese taxing authority.
The obligation to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges shall not apply to (A) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or any similar tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge or (B) any tax, duty, assessment, fee or other governmental charge which is payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of principal of or interest on this Security; provided that, except as otherwise set forth herein and in the Indenture, the Issuer shall pay all stamp, court or documentary taxes or any excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by Japan, the United States or any political subdivision or any taxing authority thereof or therein, with respect to the execution and enforcement of the Indenture or as a consequence of the initial issuance, execution, delivery or registration of this Security.
The Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, in whole, but not in part, subject to prior confirmation of the FSA, if such confirmation is required under applicable Japanese laws or regulations then in effect, at any time, on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of redemption to the Holders of the series to be redeemed (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall conform to all requirements with respect to such notice as set forth in the Indenture) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities together with any accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Amounts with respect thereto, if any) to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, if the Issuer is or will be obliged to pay Additional Amounts as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of Japan or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax, or any change in application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date of the issuance of the relevant series of Securities and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer through the taking of reasonable measures available to the Issuer; provided, that no such notice of redemption shall be given sooner than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such Additional Amounts were a payment then due in respect of the relevant Securities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Securities, each Holder and the Trustee acknowledge, consent and agree (a) for a period of 30 days from and including the date upon which the Prime Minister of Japan confirms that Specified Item 2 Measures (tokutei dai nigo sochi) should be applied to the Issuer, not to initiate any action to attach any of the Issuers assets, the attachment of which has been prohibited by designation of the Prime Minister of Japan pursuant to Article 126-16 of the Deposit Insurance Act, and (b) to any transfer of the Issuers assets (including shares of the Issuers subsidiaries) or liabilities, or any portions thereof, with permission of a Japanese court in accordance with Article 126-13 of the Deposit Insurance Act, including any such transfer made pursuant to the authority of the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan to represent and manage and dispose of the Issuers assets under Article 126-5 of the Deposit Insurance Act, and that any such transfer shall not constitute a sale or disposal of the Issuers properties or assets for the purpose of Article 8 of the Indenture.
Subject to applicable law, each Holder of Securities, by acceptance of any interest in the Securities, agrees that it will not, and waives its right to, exercise, claim or plead any right of set off, compensation or retention in respect of any amount owed to it by the Issuer arising under, or in connection with, the Securities or the Indenture.
The Issuer shall, as soon as practicable after the Prime Minister of Japan has confirmed that Specified Item 2 Measures (tokutei dai nigo sochi) should be applied to the Issuer or a Japanese court has publicly announced that it has granted permission to a transfer of the Issuers assets (including shares of the Issuers subsidiaries) or liabilities, or any portions thereof, in accordance with Article 126-13 of the Deposit Insurance Act, deliver a written notice of such event to the Holders and beneficial owners of the Securities through DTC and to the Trustee. Any failure or delay by the Issuer to provide such written notice shall not change or delay the effect of the acknowledgement, consent and agreement described in the preceding paragraph.
A Holder of Securities issued in definitive form may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. As described in the legend on the face of this global Security, interest payments on such Securities issued in definitive form will be subject to Japanese income taxation unless the Holder establishes the matters set forth therein. Such legend concerning Japanese taxation shall also be included on the face of any Securities issued in definitive form. The security registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer will treat the registered Holder of a Security as the owner of that Security for all purposes, except as described above.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be affected (voting as one class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place where the principal of and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the security registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S.$200,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange; provided, however, the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name this Security is registered upon the Security register as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, as herein prescribed.
This Security is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
Exhibits 5.1 and 23.1
[LETTERHEAD OF NAGASHIMA OHNO & TSUNEMATSU]
September 14, 2023
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
1-2, Marunouchi 1-chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
Japan
Re: SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Registration Statement on Form F-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the registration statement (Registration Statement) on Form F-3 (File No. 333-273003), as amended by the pre-effective amendment no. 1 thereto, relating to debt securities of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (the Company) and the offering outside Japan by the Company of $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.716% senior notes due 2028, and $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.808% senior notes due 2033 (together, the Notes) pursuant to the underwriting agreement in respect of the Notes dated September 5, 2023, between the Company and the underwriters named therein (the Underwriting Agreement), we have acted as Japanese legal counsel to the Company and have been requested to provide our opinion to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
For the purposes of this opinion, we have examined, among other things, the following documents:
(a) | certified copies of the Commercial Register, the Articles of Incorporation, the Regulations of the Board of Directors, the Regulations of Corporate Executive Officers and the Regulations of the CxO System Management of the Company; |
(b) | certified extract copies of the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company held on December 21, 2015, June 29, 2017, June 27, 2019, and June 29, 2022, and certified copies of the certificate of decision of Toru Nakashima, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer, dated June 26, 2019 and issued by Jun Ohta, President and Representative Executive Officer of the Company and the certificate of decision of Toru Nakashima, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer, dated March 24, 2023 and issued by Jun Ohta, President and Representative Executive Officer of the Company, and a certified copy of the certificate of decision, dated September 5, 2023 and issued by Kazuyuki Anchi, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Corporate Planning Dept. of the Company, in respect of the terms of the Notes; |
(c) | an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement; |
(d) | executed copies of the senior indenture in respect of the Notes dated March 9, 2016 (the Base Indenture) as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture in respect of the Notes dated July 16, 2019 (together with the Base Indenture, the Indenture), each made between the Company and the trustee named therein; |
(e) | the form of the global certificates of the Notes (the Global Certificates); and |
(f) | copies of a power of attorney dated March 2, 2016, executed by Koichi Miyata, President and Representative Director of the Company, a power of attorney dated July 2, 2019 executed by Jun Ohta, President and Representative Executive Officer, and a power of attorney dated June 19, 2023, executed by Jun Ohta, President and Representative Executive Officer (the power of attorney dated June 19, 2023 being hereinafter referred to as the Power of Attorney), authorizing each of the persons named therein to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company, certain agreements and documents set forth therein in connection with the Notes. |
We have also examined such certificates and corporate documents of the Company and such other matters, documents and records, and considered such questions of the laws of Japan, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering the opinions hereinafter set forth.
We have assumed, for the purpose of rendering this opinion, (i) the genuineness of all signatures and seal impressions; (ii) the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; (iii) the completeness and conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity and completeness of the originals of such documents; (iv) the execution of all documents submitted to us as forms in such forms; (v) the sufficiency of the legal capacity of natural person-signatories executing or delivering all agreements and documents; (vi) the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, records, agreements, instruments and documents that we have reviewed are accurate and complete; (vii) each party (other than the Company) to the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and other relevant documents is an entity duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and has full and complete power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents; (viii) each of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and other relevant documents is within the capacity and powers of and has been duly authorized by all parties thereto (other than the Company); (ix) each of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and other relevant documents has been duly executed and delivered by all parties thereto (other than the Company); (x) nothing in the applicable law of any jurisdiction other than Japan would conflict with, or preclude the performance, legality, validity, effectiveness or enforcement of, any of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and other relevant documents; and (xi) the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and other relevant documents are legal, valid and binding on the parties thereto and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms under their respective governing laws (other than the laws of Japan). We have not independently verified any of the matters referred to in (i) through (xi) above.
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Having examined the above documents and having regard to the relevant laws of Japan to the extent that they are applicable, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set out herein, we are of the opinion that:
The Notes, when payment for the Notes has been duly made in full in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, and when the Global Certificates have been duly signed on behalf of the Company by facsimile signature of a Representative Executive Officer of the Company or persons named in the Power of Attorney, duly authenticated in accordance with its terms, and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, and assuming that the Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms under their governing law, to which they are subject and as to which we render no opinion, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms.
The foregoing opinion is based on the assumptions, qualified by and subject to the limitations, set forth below:
(i) | This opinion letter is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and may not be read as extending by implication to any other matters or documents not specifically referred to herein. |
(ii) | We are members of the bar of Japan and our opinion is limited solely to the laws of Japan in force and as interpreted as at the date hereof. In giving the opinion set forth above, we have relied, as to matters governed by the laws of the State of New York or the federal laws of the United States of America, upon the legal opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, United States counsel to the Company dated the date hereof. |
(iii) | We neither express nor imply any view or opinion with regard to the requirements of any state or country other than Japan. |
(iv) | We express no opinion as to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other similar remedy. |
(v) | The opinion expressed above is subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, civil rehabilitation, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) any applicable statutes of limitation, appropriate court procedures, the public order or policy, good morals doctrine, the good faith and fair dealing doctrine and the abuse of rights doctrine. |
(vi) | The above opinion does not cover any matters related to tax laws, treaties, regulations or guidelines. |
(vii) | Certain terms used in documents referred to above or in any other document examined in connection with this opinion letter, and certain concepts expressed therein (i) may not have equivalents in the Japanese language or under Japanese legal principles or (ii) may have a different meaning in legal practice under the governing law thereof from those understood by Japanese counsel, including ourselves, based upon the plain-English meaning of such terms or concepts, as the case may be. |
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(viii) | In the opinion herein, Japanese legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original Japanese terms. The concepts concerned may not be identical to the concept described by the equivalent English terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. We do not render any opinion as to how judges qualified in a foreign jurisdiction would interpret Japanese legal concepts or expressions, and this opinion may only be relied upon under the express condition that any issues of interpretation or liability arising thereunder will be governed by the laws of Japan and be brought before a Japanese court. |
(ix) | The opinion expressed above relating to the legality, validity, effectiveness or enforceability of the obligations under any documents governed by any laws other than the laws of Japan shall mean that the laws of Japan will permit the application of the relevant governing law other than the laws of Japan to the legality, validity, effectiveness or enforceability of the obligations under such documents. |
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the captions Legal Matters and Enforcement of Civil Liabilities contained in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or by the rules and regulations under it.
Very truly yours,
/s/ NAGASHIMA OHNO & TSUNEMATSU
(FS/MKK/AY)
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Exhibits 5.2, 8.1 and 23.2
[LETTERHEAD OF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP]
September 14, 2023
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
1-2, Marunouchi 1-chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., a joint stock company with limited liability organized under the laws of Japan (the Company), has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-273003) and the pre-effective amendment no. 1 thereto (together, the Registration Statement) and the related Prospectus (the Prospectus) for the purpose of registering under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), certain securities, including U.S.$1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Companys 5.716% Senior Notes due 2028 and U.S.$900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Companys 5.808% Senior Notes due 2033 (the Securities). The Securities are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Senior Indenture dated as of March 9, 2016, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 16, 2019 (the Indenture) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The Securities are to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated September 5, 2023 (the Underwriting Agreement) among the Company and the several underwriters named therein (the Underwriters).
We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (iv) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (v) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vi) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion, assuming the Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability and subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to foreign governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors rights.
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We hereby confirm that our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of an investment in the Securities is set forth in full under the caption TaxationU.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations in the Prospectus.
In connection with the opinion expressed above, we have assumed that the Company is validly existing as a joint stock company under the laws of Japan. In addition, we have assumed that the Indenture and the Securities (collectively, the Documents) are valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto, except to the extent expressly covered above with respect to the Company. We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance by each party to each Document to which it is a party (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws or other constitutive documents of such party, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such party.
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States, except that we express no opinion as to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company, the Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate. Insofar as the foregoing opinion involves matters governed by the laws of Japan, we have relied, without independent inquiry or investigation, on the opinion of Nagashima, Ohno and Tsunematsu to be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof and its incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption Legal Matters in the prospectus supplement which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP