Human Capital Development and Expansion of the M&A Market Through the M&A Expert Certification Program

「The Group operates the M&A Expert Certification Program, a certification program for training business succession and M&A professionals, jointly with the Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. The number of certified professionals under the program exceeded 27,000 in May 2019. The Group will continue these activities to raise awareness and confidence in business succession and M&A services and help broaden the industry's presence.」

「The Group also operates the Business Succession & M&A Expert and M&A Senior Expert certification programs jointly with the Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. After the number of certified professionals exceeded 10,000, it established the Business Succession & M&A Expert Association to deepen professional development and interaction among certificate holders, and held an inauguration ceremony on 1 August 2017. Approximately 180 people, mainly from regional financial institutions and accounting firms, attended the ceremony. The Group will continue these activities to raise awareness and confidence in business succession and M&A services and help broaden the industry's presence in Japan.」

「The Group has operated the M&A Expert Certification Program, a professional certification program, jointly with the Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. since 2012, with the aim of developing personnel well versed in M&A and further promoting M&A among small and midsize companies. Four years after the program was launched, the number of certified professionals exceeded 10,000 during the current third-quarter consolidated accounting period, reaching 11,121 as of 31 December 2016. By continuing these steady educational activities, the Group aims to raise awareness of M&A among small and midsize companies and further broaden and invigorate the M&A market.」