Mizuho Americas COO Team Gained Scale and Profit
The bank's operational shifts offer a roadmap for leaders looking to scale divisions through strategic client engagement.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Financial Services
Live Poll
Do you trust that established corporate banks can successfully transform into full-service investment firms?
American Banker recognized the 32-member Mizuho Americas COO team as a top banking division following a period of rapid growth. The group’s expansion has helped the division rise from 25th to 12th in transaction volume globally since 2019.
Why it matters
Mizuho’s growth highlights the efficacy of combining aggressive M&A with deep-tier client education programs. For operators, this demonstrates how institutionalizing marketplace trend analysis and networking can directly drive revenue contribution and competitive standing.
The division now generates approximately 25% of the global net operating profits for Mizuho Financial Group, which holds over $2 trillion in total assets. This growth was bolstered by the 2023 integration of 370 professionals following the acquisition of Greenhill and Co.
The players
Mizuho Financial Group
A global financial institution with over $2 trillion in assets that provides corporate and investment banking services.
Michal Katz
The leader of the investment and corporate banking division who has overseen revenue growth since 2019.
Greenhill and Co.
An independent investment bank acquired by Mizuho in 2023 to expand its advisory workforce and capabilities.
The details
The COO team manages growth by executing high-frequency client engagement strategies, including over 150 meetings during annual roadshows in Japan. The division also prioritizes internal development by training bankers on the impacts of geopolitical shifts, ensuring staff can identify emerging market trends. By blending these educational programs with specialized transaction support, such as the $1.5 billion GEP Haynesville II acquisition, the team has expanded its advisory reach.
Timeline
Michal Katz began leading the banking division in 2019.
Mizuho acquired Greenhill and Co. in 2023.
The division ranked 12th in transaction volume during 2025.
Several team members received promotions in April 2026.
Bankers conducted annual client roadshows in Japan over the past two years.
Market Landscape
Mizuho’s current performance follows the 2023 acquisition of Greenhill and Co., which added 370 professionals to its advisory bench. This integration is part of a broader industry trend where universal banks deploy aggressive M&A to secure competitive transaction volume.
Operators should evaluate their internal training and client engagement programs for opportunities to better leverage market data. Monitoring the integration of newly acquired talent is also essential for maintaining the productivity gains required to climb industry rankings.
The takeaway
The Mizuho case shows that scaling a service-based business requires tightly linking client-facing roadshows with deep analytical training. Leaders should track their firm's transaction volume relative to key competitors to identify if current staffing and market presence are sufficient for long-term growth.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, see the Financial Services section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that established corporate banks can successfully transform into full-service investment firms?
