Where have all the branches gone: Citi explains - Tearsheet (2024)

In most of the world, it’s getting harder to find a local bank branch.That’s because financial institutions are finding it increasingly harder to rationalize keeping them open. As more consumer financial activity moves to mobile and to the web, banks are shedding branches the world over.Some recent branch closure announcements include:

  • JPMorgan slashed 195 offices, PNaC closed 94, and Bank FAmerica 88 in 2015 (BizJournals)
  • HSBC, RBS, and Barclays plan to close 400 branches in the UK (Reuters)
  • Banco Santander plans to close 450 branches in Spain (BBR)
  • Lloyds Banking to cut 29 branches (The Guardian)

Overall, there are 1,614 fewer bank branches in the United States today in early 2016 than there were a year ago.

What we know

As more national and regional bank chains in the EU and the US close local branches, the trend is set to accelerate, according to a recent report published by Citibank’s Global Perspectives and Solutions group. In Digital Disruption: How Fintech is Forcing Banking to a Tipping Point [.pdf], the authors forecast that the incumbent branch networks may reduce their physical footprints by up to 50 percent by 2025.Where have all the branches gone: Citi explains - Tearsheet (1)Indeed, as more consumers migrate digitallyto do general banking activities, banks with large branch footprints are working rapidly to stem the damage. According to the report, European customers are taking up digital banking channels in greater numbers compared to American bank clients. And banks are responding similarly -- European financial institutionsare closing retail locationsmore quickly than their American peers. Nordicbanks may have already reduced their branch count by 50 percent.

What's the future of the branch

Most incumbent banks believe there's still a valuable role for bank branches even as customers spend less time in them. A fewbulge bracket banks recentlydiscussed thetopic of branch closures on their recent earnings calls. Some banks have chosen toexperiment with newformats fortheir local presences. Much like the evolution of physical books stores, these consumer financial institutionsare playing around with the idea of using their locations as social meeting places. For example, Virgin Money is remaking its branches into "lounges", where customers can chill and get coffee.Others, like Bank America, see the writing on the wall. It's using its branches and newly-appointed "digital ambassadors" to educate customers inside their branches on the various digital options at their disposal. Seen from this perspective, the bank is actively encouraging customers to use its digitalchannels to conduct their business.For its part, the authors of the Citi report advise banks to take the long view. While customer behavior is changing and tilting in various degrees towards digital, we still have a long way to go. The report recommends banks take apanoramicviewonmanaging their customer touch points:

This [digital] shift in customer behavior is making banks rethink their channel strategy. In our view, an omni-channel strategy is the winning solution for incumbent banks over the next decade because customers interact with their main bank via multiple channels rather than a single channel. The omni-channel strategy should be built around a competitive digital banking offering, a reduced and modernized branch network and lastly, a targeted channel strategy for different segments of customers.

Not all customers arehaving an easy timesaying goodbye to their bank branches: they're organizing protests in the UK to help protect the elderly who aren't digital natives. In some locations, local businessesreport that they've seen a drop in their businesses as their community banks have closed. But there seems to be general consensus thatfor certain banking transactions, there will always be a need to meet a banker in-person.

Where have all the branches gone: Citi explains - Tearsheet (2024)

FAQs

Why are so many Citibank branches closed? ›

“As our clients and communities increasingly self-isolate, we have noticed shifts in foot traffic and market dynamics — so, to best meet our changing customer needs, we have begun to temporarily close branches where and when it makes sense,” the bank said in a statement to Bloomberg.

Why does Citibank have so few branches? ›

That's because financial institutions are finding it increasingly harder to rationalize keeping them open. As more consumer financial activity moves to mobile and to the web, banks are shedding branches the world over.

What bank did Citibank take over? ›

In 2002, Citigroup, the parent of Citibank, acquired Golden State Bancorp and its California Federal Bank, which was one-third owned by Ronald O. Perelman, for $5.8 billion.

Did Citibank pull out of China? ›

Citigroup Inc said it will wind down its consumer banking business in China, a move which is expected to affect about 1,200 employees in the country. The exit will include products such as deposits, insurance, mortgages, investments, loans and cards, the lender said in a statement Thursday.

What will happen to Citi Bank customers? ›

What will happen to Citibank Customers' Savings Accounts, Cards, etc after Axis Bank-Citibank Merger. As of March 1, 2023, Citibank's consumer business in India will be transferred to Axis Bank.

Why Citibank is leaving? ›

CEO Jane Fraser said that the group lacks the scale to compete with the domestic lenders in India, even though the market has excellent business. Citigroup announced its exit from India in May 2021.

Is Citibank going under? ›

Based on the latest financial disclosure, Citigroup has a Probability Of Bankruptcy of 2.0%. This is 95.99% lower than that of the Banks sector and significantly higher than that of the Financials industry. The probability of bankruptcy for all United States stocks is 94.98% higher than that of the company.

Is Chase Bank better than Citibank? ›

Who Should Bank With Chase? If you prefer branch accessibility, sign-up bonuses and lower overdraft protection fees, Chase Bank may be the best option for you. Chase currently has over 4,700 branches established in 48 states while Citibank only has 700. Chase often offers generous sign-up bonuses for new customers.

Is Citibank having problems? ›

Citibank.com is UP and reachable by us. Please check and report on local outages below ...

Is Capital One owned by Citibank? ›

Capital One is a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation, a U.S.-based bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia and founded in 1994. Capital One has been a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation since it was established as a separate division of the company in 1994.

Who owns Citibank now? ›

Who owns the majority of Citibank? ›

Citigroup owns Citicorp, the holding company for Citibank, as well as several international subsidiaries.

What bank is owned by China? ›

State-owned Commercial Banks
NameAbbreviationHeadquarters
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China*ICBCBeijing
China Construction Bank*CCBBeijing
Bank of China*BOCBeijing
Agricultural Bank of China*ABCBeijing
2 more rows

Is Citibank closing consumer banking? ›

NEW YORK - Citi announced today it has completed the sale of its India consumer business to Axis Bank Limited (Axis). The sale, which Citi and Axis first announced in March 2022, includes credit cards, retail banking, wealth management and consumer loans, as well as the transfer of approximately 3,200 Citi employees.

Is it safe to keep money in Citibank? ›

Yes, all Citi bank accounts are FDIC insured (FDIC No.

How do I get my money back from Citi? ›

To claim a refund of the excess balance or to transfer the excess balance to another linked Citi Credit Card or linked Citibank account, please contact our 24*7 CitiPhone helpline on 1860 210 2484 (within India) or +91 22 4955 2484 (from outside of India).

Is Citi laying off employees? ›

as per various media reports. A Bloomberg report said that Citigroup was cutting hundreds of jobs across the company, including its investment banking division. As of the fourth quarter in 2022, Citigroup reported a workforce of 240,000 employees.

Has Citibank closed? ›

Citibank's customers will witness a major transformation from today (1 March 2023). The grand old bank, which started its India operations back in 1902 in Kolkata, has completely sold its retail banking assets to Axis Bank.

What is the strategic refresh of Citi? ›

As part of our firm's strategy refresh, we committed in April 2021 to exiting our consumer businesses in 13 markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East – adding our Mexico franchise to the remit early last year and forming Legacy Franchises as the operating unit to house these businesses.

What is the difference between Citi and Citibank? ›

Citicorp, quite literally, controls Citi's "core" operations and is separated into three divisions: global consumer banking, institutional clients group, and corporate. The first of those divisions operates under the “Citibank” name.

Why is Citigroup failing? ›

Post-mortem evaluations of Citigroup's near-collapse revealed that neither Citigroup's managers nor its regulators recognized the systemic risks embedded in the bank's far-flung operations. Thus, Citigroup was not only too big to fail but also too large and too complex to manage or regulate effectively.

Who did Citibank merge with? ›

Citigroup, American financial services corporation formed in 1998 from the merger of Citicorp (itself a holding company incorporated in 1967) and Travelers Group, Inc. Its headquarters are in New York City.

What are the two major US banks collapse? ›

The collapses in March of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank – two of the largest U.S. banks to fail since the Great Depression of the 1930s – have led some to wonder if the nation may be headed for a new widespread banking crisis.

Is Citibank owned by Chase? ›

Citibank is owned by Citigroup, a U.S.-based investment bank and financial services corporation headquartered in New York, NY. Citigroup was founded in 1998 and has owned Citibank ever since.

Who are Citi banks biggest competitors? ›

Citi's competitors and similar companies include HSBC, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, NatWest Group and State Bank of India.

Is Morgan Stanley better than Citibank? ›

Overall, Citigroup Inc stock has a Value Score of 97, Growth Score of 58 and Momentum Score of 53. Morgan Stanley stock has a Value Score of 49, Growth Score of 84 and Momentum Score of 54.

Why does Citibank keep denying me? ›

If you do not match the salary criteria stipulated by Citibank your application will be rejected. There is also the other scenario where though you have higher income your application might have been rejected. This is because you might have lower disposable income which might not satisfy the bank's criteria.

Why did Citibank freeze my account? ›

Banks may freeze bank accounts if they suspect illegal activity such as money laundering, terrorist financing, or writing bad checks. Creditors can seek judgment against you, which can lead a bank to freeze your account. The government can request an account freeze for any unpaid taxes or student loans.

Why is my Citibank blocked? ›

If Citi determines that your login credentials have been compromised, your online and mobile access may be automatically blocked, reducing the likelihood of an unauthorized person accessing your information. Citi then sends you a notification with a prompt to reset your password to safely regain access.

What FICO score does Citi use? ›

Your FICO® Score is calculated based on data from Equifax using the FICO® Bankcard Score 8 model and is the same score we use, among other information, to manage your account. This model has a FICO® Score range from 250 through 900.

What is the most powerful bank in the world? ›

With $5.5 trillion in assets, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited is the largest bank in the world, as measured by total assets. Given its size and dominance, it's no surprise that ICBC China has earned high marks for financial stability and profitability.

What is the biggest bank in America? ›

JPMorgan Chase

What does Citi stand for? ›

The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) is dedicated to serving the training needs of colleges and universities, healthcare institutions, technology and research organizations, and governmental agencies, as they foster integrity and professional advancement of their learners.

Does Citibank have physical locations? ›

Citibank offers a convenient way to find a branch or ATM location near you through its website.

Is Citibank FDIC insured? ›

The funds in your Deposit Accounts at each Program Bank are eligible for insurance by the FDIC up to $250,000 (including principal and accrued interest) per depositor in each insurable capacity (e.g., individual, joint account, IRA, etc.).

Does Walmart use Citibank? ›

Shop with Points at Walmart®.

Redeem your points on qualifying in-store purchases with an eligible Citi® credit card.

Where is Citibank main branch in USA? ›

Our global headquarters is located in New York City, and Citi's tens-of-thousands of employees proudly serve their local communities and our valued customers every day. For more information, please visit one of the links below or the About Citi section of this website.

Where is Citi headquartered in USA? ›

Born as the Citi Bank of New York in 1812, we have a proven track record of serving clients in the U.S. You can find our global headquarters in New York City, but our presence extends far beyond with teams in 21 sites around the country – from Jacksonville, Florida to Irving, Texas – and retail branches in six urban ...

Who is the highest bidder of Citibank? ›

NEW DELHI: Private sector Axis Bank has emerged as the highest bidder to buy Citi's consumer banking business, according to sources.

Is Citibank one of the biggest banks? ›

The top four biggest banks in the U.S. are JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi and Wells Fargo.

What credit cards does Citigroup own? ›

  • Citi Double Cash® Credit Card. 4.4. ...
  • Citi Custom CashSM Card. ...
  • Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card. ...
  • Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. ...
  • Citi Rewards+® Credit Card. ...
  • Citi Premier® Credit Card. ...
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card. ...
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card.

When did China buy Bank of America? ›

No, Bank of America isn't owned by China. BofA is an American multinational investment bank that has a partnership with China Construction Bank. In 2011 they decided to sell about half of their stake (about 13.1 billion) in the Chinese company.

Who owns the US bank? ›

Is U.S. Bank part of U.S. Bancorp? Yes, U.S. Bancorp [NYSE: USB] is the publicly traded parent company of U.S. Bank. While we often use U.S. Bancorp in formal documents and corporate filings, U.S. Bank is what you'll see on branch doorways, app stores, national television commercials and much more.

Can U.S. citizens buy land in China? ›

So, can foreigners buy property in China? The answer is yes, foreigners are allowed to purchase property in China! The essential requirement is that you have studied or worked in China for at least one year on a residence permit. Foreigners are allowed to only own one residential property for dwelling purposes.

What is happening with Citibank? ›

Citibank's consumer business in India will be transferred to Axis Bank, as of March 1, 2023.

Why is Citibank closing so many branches? ›

“As our clients and communities increasingly self-isolate, we have noticed shifts in foot traffic and market dynamics — so, to best meet our changing customer needs, we have begun to temporarily close branches where and when it makes sense,” the bank said in a statement to Bloomberg.

What will happen to Citibank customers? ›

What will happen to Citibank Customers' Savings Accounts, Cards, etc after Axis Bank-Citibank Merger. As of March 1, 2023, Citibank's consumer business in India will be transferred to Axis Bank.

Is Citi Bank having problems? ›

Citibank.com is UP and reachable by us. Please check and report on local outages below ...

Is Citibank a stable bank? ›

Yes, all Citi bank accounts are FDIC insured (FDIC No. 7213) up to $250,000 per depositor, for each account ownership category, in the event of a bank failure.

What are the results of Citibank 2023? ›

HIGHLIGHTS. New York, April 14, 2023 – Citigroup Inc. today reported net income for the first quarter 2023 of $4.6 billion, or $2.19 per diluted share, on revenues of $21.4 billion. This compares to net income of $4.3 billion, or $2.02 per diluted share, on revenues of $19.2 billion for the first quarter 2022.

Is Citi still working from home? ›

Most Citi employees have hybrid roles, working from the office three days a week or more, and from home up to two days a week.

Which bank is better Citi or Chase? ›

Citibank will also serve you better if you're looking for a big bank with higher rates. Chase, however, may be a better option for you if branch accessibility and a great mobile app are a priority. If you're not impressed by either of these banks, consider our list on the top banks based on ATM fees.

What is the most financially stable bank in the US? ›

1. Chase. With more than $3.2 trillion in assets, JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the U.S. and the fifth-largest bank in the world.

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