COMPANIES

Citigroup

Office address: 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
Website: citigroup.com
Year established: 1812
Company type: banking
Employees: 229,000+ (global)
Expertise: investment banking, capital markets and advisory, securities services and custody, wealth and private banking, asset management and alternatives, treasury and trade solutions, foreign exchange and derivatives, corporate and commercial lending
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Jane Fraser (CEO), Nadir Darrah (chief auditor), Sunil Garg (head of NA), Mark Mason (CFO), Anand Selvakesari (COO), Andy Sieg (head of wealth), Sara Wechter (CHRO)
Financing status: shareholder-owned company

Citigroup is a major bank based in New York that serves companies, governments, and investors. It runs trading, capital markets, and investment banking businesses across 94 markets worldwide. Citi moves nearly $5 trillion daily, while managing wealth for institutional and US personal clients.

History of Citigroup

Citigroup's origins began in 1812 after City Bank of New York was chartered to help the city rival older financial centers. The charter followed a long political battle involving merchants aligned with President James Madison and supporters of Vice President George Clinton.

Samuel Osgood became the first president, and Clinton's allies held almost half the board seats. That small New York bank later evolved over 200 years into the institution now known as Citi.

Growing beyond New York

The bank opened a branch in Panama in 1904 at the US government's request and then expanded further. The National City Company sold bonds to ordinary investors, which helped fund companies and governments beyond Wall Street.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the bank built a broad New York branch network. It helped customers through the Great Depression and World War II, when women made up 43 percent of its almost 10,000 employees.

Citigroup's postwar and modern development

After 1945, the bank backed European rebuilding, financed major transport projects and expanded into the Middle East and Africa. In the 1960s and 1970s, it launched negotiable CDs, grew consumer banking and introduced ATMs for 24‑hour access.

From the 1980s, Citi expanded wealth and private banking services, including Citigold in Hong Kong. In 1998, a major merger created Citigroup, which later managed through the 2007–2008 crisis and reshaped its business mix.

It also supported the International Paralympic Committee through global sport partnerships. In 2021, Jane Fraser became Citi's CEO.

Investment banking and China growth

Citi has recently renewed its focus on investment banking under Viswas "Vis" Raghavan as head of banking. Since his arrival, the firm has hired at least 10 senior JPMorgan deal‑makers to strengthen M&A, equity capital markets, and technology coverage. This supports Jane Fraser's broader restructuring plans.

At the same time, Citigroup is pushing for growth in China as cross‑border activity increases. It has trimmed some consumer and technology roles, yet remains focused on Chinese companies expanding overseas and international clients. It's also pursuing a securities license and building on its existing capital markets permissions.

Citigroup's products and services

Citi offers a wide range of investment solutions that combine global reach and institutional‑grade platforms:

Institutional and corporate investment solutions

  • investment banking advisory
  • debt capital markets
  • equity capital markets
  • structured finance
  • foreign exchange and rates trading
  • treasury and trade solutions (TTS)

Securities services and investor support

  • global custody
  • fund services
  • securities finance
  • collateral management
  • transfer agency
  • trustee and depositary services

Wealth and private client investments

  • Citi Global Wealth Investments
  • Citi Investment Management
  • alternative investments
  • discretionary portfolio management
  • capital markets access for individuals

Citigroup also supports clients through its liquidity, risk, and cross‑border solutions that link investing to daily operations. Its global network and platforms help institutions and wealthy clients manage complex portfolios across markets.

Culture and corporate values

Citigroup says that it aims to be a merit‑based workplace where people feel included and engaged. The bank says this culture supports its vision, expressed through these core fundamentals:

  • thinking global
  • simplifying the bank
  • increasing connectivity
  • investing in its team

According to Citigroup, the firm offers benefits that support personal, professional and financial well‑being. Global opportunities, flexible work, and other resources help employees thrive in daily life:

  • global opportunities: build careers locally or in overseas roles
  • hybrid work: mix office collaboration with remote flexibility
  • professional development: access training, mentorship and skills programs
  • employee wellness: medical coverage plus mental health support resources
  • retirement planning: retirement contributions and investment choices for savings
  • parental and family support: parental leave, childcare help, and family programs
  • well‑being initiatives: programs that encourage healthy, balanced lifestyles
  • localized benefits: benefits tailored to each country's local needs

Citigroup also has a $1 trillion sustainable finance goal through 2030 to support a low‑carbon, inclusive economy. It also targets net zero emissions by 2050 while helping clients with their own transitions.

About CEO Jane Fraser and key people

Jane Fraser is chair of the board and CEO of Citigroup Inc. Fraser has spent more than 20 years at Citi in senior roles across its consumer and institutional businesses. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MA in economics from Cambridge University.

Citigroup's executive management team includes these key leaders and roles:

  • Nadir Darrah is chief auditor, overseeing Citigroup’s internal audit function and key risk reviews
  • Sunil Garg is CEO of Citibank NA and head of NA, leading North America-wide client franchises
  • Mark Mason is CFO, managing Citi’s financial strategy, reporting, and capital planning
  • Anand Selvakesari is COO, overseeing firmwide operations, technology, and transformation programs globally
  • Andy Sieg is head of Wealth, leading Citi’s global wealth business serving affluent and ultra-wealthy clients
  • Sara Wechter is CHRO, directing HR, talent strategy, and culture initiatives worldwide

Together, these executives guide Citigroup's strategy, people, and day‑to‑day operations. Their decisions shape client service and long‑term shareholder returns.

The future at Citigroup

Citigroup is using its global wealth arm to spot rich clients shifting assets from the US to the UK. Citi US stays central because those clients still need cross‑border advice, lending and portfolio management between American and British markets. This shift helps the bank grow international wealth revenue and refine its strategy for serving mobile, ultra‑wealthy families.

Elsewhere in Citi's ongoing transformation story, Citigroup hired outside counsel to review concerns about Andy Sieg, its head of Wealth. After the probe, the bank kept him in the role.

CEO Jane Fraser links that decision to strong results in the wealth unit and a broader turnaround that’s nearing its final phase. The bank also continues flexible work policies and sees clients more active in capital markets, which supports its long‑term wealth growth plans.

The latest Citigroup news

Displaying 1654 results
Morgan Stanley defies bank diversity trend
Morgan Stanley defies bank diversity trend

The leadership changes announced May 20 position a slate of potential successors to CEO James Gorman who are mostly white and male.

Morgan Stanley CEO Gorman revamps leadership
Morgan Stanley CEO Gorman revamps leadership

Andy Saperstein, head of wealth management, was named co-president along with Ted Pick, head of trading, as Gorman positions a small group as his most likely successors.

JPMorgan reopens offices across the U.S.
JPMorgan reopens offices across the U.S.

Its plan to bring employees back to the office will probably be watched closely by major financial firms, which may adjust their plans depending on how it goes.

UBS explores offering crypto investments to rich clients
FINTECH MAY 10, 2021
UBS explores offering crypto investments to rich clients

The Swiss firm is exploring several alternatives for offering the asset class, people familiar with the plan said. Any investment offering would be a very small portion of the clients’ total wealth because of the volatility.

Wall Street's ESG club sees huge tax perks
WIREHOUSES APR 23, 2021
Wall Street's ESG club sees huge tax perks

Big banks' finance work involving environmental, social and governance projects saves them a lot on taxes.

Citi expects $1 trillion boom in ESG ETFs
ETFS APR 21, 2021
Citi expects $1 trillion boom in ESG ETFs

The bank's analysts credit the global pandemic with stirring investor demand for companies doing good, and also cite the frenzy for tech-focused thematic funds, many of which fall within the environmental, social and governance category.

Banks hone in on wealthy clients
WIREHOUSES APR 20, 2021
Banks hone in on wealthy clients

Citigroup plans to 'double down on wealth,' while Merrill's account balances surged 31%.

Walmart isn’t after your book of business
OPINION APR 19, 2021
Walmart isn’t after your book of business

The world's largest retailer announced plans to launch a digital advice platform for its 220 million weekly clients. It will likely target lower-income Americans with simple but necessary financial products.

Risky business! Impacts of rogue brokers on firms and Amy Domini talks ESG
Risky business! Impacts of rogue brokers on firms and Amy Domini talks ESG

The recent passing of 'The baddest broker of all time,' Bernie Madoff, reminds us that one bad broker can bring ruin to a firm. Ben Edwards, law professor at UNLV joins to discuss the 'one bad broker' rule and more. Amy Domini also chats with Jeff and Bruce about her historic career as one of the originals of ESG and why the overnight rise of ESG isn't so overnight.

Schwab accidentally puts $1.2 million into woman’s account
RIA NEWS APR 13, 2021
Schwab accidentally puts $1.2 million into woman’s account

The woman, who used some of the money to buy a house and an SUV, was arrested earlier this week.

Stifel CEO says life after Covid means return to the office
Stifel CEO says life after Covid means return to the office

CEO Ron Kruszewski cited benefits related to training, collaboration and the reinforcement of the firm's culture in his annual letter to shareholders.

BlackRock plans racial audit, in break with Wall Street peers
BlackRock plans racial audit, in break with Wall Street peers

The asset manager will undergo a third-party audit of its operations following a request from a shareholder.

Vice proves hard habit to kick as ESG enters credit markets
FIXED INCOME MAR 22, 2021
Vice proves hard habit to kick as ESG enters credit markets

Companies in sectors that many ESG funds would exclude, such as tobacco, fossil fuel and gaming companies, can still access credit markets with relative ease, investors say.

Merrill Lynch team managing $1.3 billion joins Rockefeller
Merrill Lynch team managing $1.3 billion joins Rockefeller

The four-adviser, eight-person Hambleton Fieler Group is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and will be Rockefeller's first private wealth team in Ohio.

Women leading wealthtech's evolution
FINTECH MAR 08, 2021
Women leading wealthtech's evolution

CEOs and other women in the fintech C-suite are spearheading the sector's progression and paving pathways for gender equity.