Nomura boss takes pay minimize after worker ‘tried to kill shoppers’

The boss of Japanese financial institution Nomura has taken a short-term pay minimize after a former worker was charged with theft of financial institution shoppers, tried homicide and arson.

The employee allegedly stole cash from shoppers and set fireplace to their dwelling after visiting them on 28 July this yr, the financial institution said in a statement.

The worker was dismissed every week later, and was arrested in October.

Nomura apologised to the alleged victims, and mentioned chief govt Kentaro Okuda would voluntarily return 30% of his pay for 3 months.

As well as, 9 different Nomura administrators and executives will return 20% to 30% of their pay for a similar interval.

The financial institution mentioned the previous worker advised the department workplace supervisor in Hiroshima on 2 August that police suspected him of arson in relation to a hearth that occurred at a shopper’s dwelling, and that he had stolen cash from the shoppers when he visited their dwelling.

He was sacked by the financial institution on 4 August, and Nomura mentioned “strict disciplinary motion” had been taken towards related managers.

After studying of the alleged theft the financial institution mentioned it had instantly contacted the previous worker’s shoppers and “launched an investigation into different attainable incidents”.

The worker gave asset administration recommendation to particular person and company shoppers.

Police arrested him on 30 October, and he was charged by the Hiroshima District Public Prosecutors Workplace on 20 November.

“We wish to categorical our heartfelt sympathy and apologize to our shoppers who suffered due to this incident. We additionally apologize to all these affected by the difficulty it’s inflicting,” Nomura mentioned in a press release on Tuesday.

“We take this matter very significantly,” it added. “An incident like this mustn’t ever occur at a monetary establishment entrusted with taking care of its shoppers’ property.”

It mentioned it had introduced in “extra rigorous and efficient measures” to “be certain that our shoppers really feel assured utilizing our providers”.

These embody managers going with staff after they go to shoppers’ properties and accompanying them after they converse on the telephone.

Nomura mentioned it will “strictly handle” shopper visits, and monitor staff utilizing knowledge from firm cellphones and dashboard cameras.

It should additionally require staff to take a block of steady go away annually to permit the financial institution to detect any “potential wrongdoing”.

Nomura is among the largest banks in Japan and operates in about 30 international locations and areas.

It focuses on wealth administration, funding administration, international markets and funding banking.