Building an Integrated, Strategic Treasury Function at Scale: A Fireside Chat with SMBC's Corporate Treasurer

Jie Hua provides a behind-the-scenes look at how SMBC built a modern balance sheet management and treasury function from the ground up. When Jie joined, critical infrastructure - including GL-to-management-accounting links, QRM integration, FTP capability, and data governance - was fragmented or missing. He explains how he created a new centralized architecture, implemented daily liquidity and FTP analytics, and built a 100-person treasury organization with deep technical and analytical skills.

He discusses the importance of people leadership, fostering curiosity, cross-team partnerships, bridging cultural expectations between the U.S. and Japan, and ensuring treasury is viewed as a strategic partner to the business. Topics include liquidity risk management, balance sheet optimization, scenario analytics, AI-enabled forecasting, pricing discipline, and managing growth in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Jie concludes with career advice, emphasizing mentorship, comfort with ambiguity, learning beyond job descriptions, and building roles that evolve with both the market and the individual.