Announcement Regarding the Commencement of Operations by Olive Consulting Co., Ltd.

Olive Consulting Co., Ltd. ('Olive Consulting'), established through a joint investment by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, SMBC Nikko Securities Inc., SBI Holdings, Inc., and SBI Securities Co., Ltd. ('SBI Securities'), has completed its registration as a financial instruments intermediary and obtained permission for banking agency services, officially commencing full-scale operations.

1. Purpose of Commencing Operations Since the conclusion of a basic agreement on a strategic capital and business alliance in April 2020, the SMBC Group and SBI Group have provided services leveraging the strengths of both groups. To further expand asset management services, Olive Consulting was established in August 2025. Against the backdrop of the spread of New NISA and the increasingly sophisticated and diversified needs for asset formation, we will seamlessly integrate SBI Securities' highly convenient net brokerage functions with Olive Consulting's professional consulting functions. This aims to provide a unique asset management experience where asset tracking, trading, and consultation can all be completed within the 'Olive' app.

2. Overview of Provided Services (1) Digital Asset Management Services Through 'Money Forward ME' provided by Money Forward Home Co., Ltd., customers can grasp the overall situation of their assets and understand market trends and investment philosophies. Furthermore, users can compare their current portfolio with asset allocations designed by experts and perform simulations. ① Understanding the Current Situation: Visualizes assets entirely based on linked data. Alerts are provided when large price movements occur. ② Identifying Issues: Compares current holdings with expert-curated portfolios to identify improvement points. ③ Trading Products: Allows seamless trading of financial products held in SBI Securities by logging in from within the app.

(2) Flexible Consulting Customers can consult on asset management according to their situation, using advisors or AI chatbots. ① Selectable Consultation Channels: The first consultation is via online interview. From the second time onward, chat, phone, online interviews, or in-person consultations are available. ② Selectable Advisors: Customers can compare advisors from diverse backgrounds based on consultation themes or conditions and nominate them personally. ③ Your Dedicated Expert Team: For complex or high-difficulty consultations, teams of highly experienced experts provide end-to-end support.