Japanese banks top world infrastructure lending

Thomson Reuters survey confirms dominance.

The survey shows that Japan's big three banking groups dominate the list of top lenders for global infrastructure development. On the other hand, their European and U.S. rivals are being hammered by the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis.

The survey confirms the increasing presence of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc. in global infrastructure development, including resource exploitation and road construction.

Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan’s largest banking group, lent some US$8.5 billion in the January-September period, and rose from second place last year to replace the State Bank of India as top lender for global infrastructure development.

Sumitomo Mitsui remained at third place with around US$4.9 billion in loans while Mizuho jumped to fourth place from 13th.

European banks, once key players in financing infrastructure development, have cut back on overseas lending due while Japanese banks have expanded such lending in view of slack demand for loans in Japan.