Why Citibank left India (2024)

Mumbai-based Axis Bank is set to acquire Citigroup’s consumer business. The move follows the US banking giant’s exit from the country as part of a global strategy.

Axis Bank yesterday (March 30) announced that the $1.6 billion deal (12,325 crore rupees) to acquire Citibank’s arm, which includes the “credit card business, the wealth franchise, and a set of affluent customers.”

The move will boost the Indian lender’s presence in the retail segment. “Deals like these come once in a lifetime,” Axis Bank chief executive Amitabh Chaudhry said.

A pioneer in India’s credit cards space, Citi saw its outstanding credit cards decline from 2.6 million a year ago to 2.5 million by the end of February (pdf). This is in line with the overall shrinking witnessed by foreign lenders in the segment. On the other hand, Axis Bank, one of India’s biggest private players here, has a base of 8.6 million credit-card holders.

Why are foreign banks withdrawing from India?

Citi, which has been present in India for over a century, is not the first foreign bank to exit or scale down operations.

Almost immediately after Citigroup’s announced its decision last year, FirstRand Bank, too, followed suit. South Africa‘s second-largest bank has $118 billion in assets in India.

Barclays, HSBC and Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, too, have downsized due to high capital requirements and costs.

Foreign banks have been struggling due to increased competition from domestic players, differences in compliance guidelines, and poor asset quality issues, among other reasons.

Some experts have blamed Indian banking’s bad-loan crisis.

“We believe our capital, investment dollars, and other resources are better deployed against higher returning opportunities in wealth management and our institutional businesses in Asia,” Citigroup’s global CEO Jane Fraser had said last year.

In 2013, RBI had announced guidelines for foreign banks, asking them to either operate through branch presence or set up wholly-owned subsidiaries to be treated at par with Indian banks. While the business models of some banks did not allow the subsidiary route, only a few got licences to open fresh branches.

Some have survived, though.

Deutsche Bank, Germany’s biggest lender, has 16 branches in India. Kaushik Shaparia, its chief country officer, does not see much benefit in the subsidiary model.

DBS Bank India, on the other hand, does. And it was allowed to acquire Lakshmi Vilas Bank in November 2020. This helped the Singapore-based lender to scale up operations in India to nearly 600 branches from 34 following the takeover.

Why Citibank left India (2024)

FAQs

Why did Citibank leave India? ›

In the country's rapidly transforming economic and banking landscape, Citibank was unable to garner a sufficient market share in the consumer banking sector, which it forayed into in 1985. As a result of this, the group decided to exit its retail business in India.

What will happen to my Citibank India account? ›

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

What was the main problem with Citibank? ›

The O.C.C. cited the bank's violations of the Fair Housing Act in 2019 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act earlier this year, and attributed both to Citi's inadequate risk management procedures. The bank has also had trouble keeping track of the flow of illicit funds through its accounts.

Why is Citibank leaving? ›

3) What is the rationale behind the decision? Recently, Citi announced its decision to focus its Global Consumer Bank presence in Asia, Europe and the Middle East to key global wealth centers and exit 13 other markets. In line with this, Citi will pursue an exit from its consumer franchise in India.

When did Citibank exit India? ›

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.

Which is the best alternative to Citibank in India? ›

hdfc bank, india's leading private sector bank, offers online netbanking services & personal banking services like accounts & deposits, cards, loans, investment & insurance products to meet all your banking needs.

What will happen to Citibank card holders? ›

Yes, your Citi account will remain the same after the acquisition by Axis Bank. "You can continue using your Citi account without any changes in account number, IFSC / MICR codes, debit card, chequebook, fees, and charges and continue to enjoy the many benefits of your account," Citibank said.

What will happen to Citibank savings account holders? ›

Customers can continue to use their Citi account with no changes to their account number, IFSC / MICR codes, debit card, chequebook, fees, or charges, and enjoy the account's many benefits.

Is Citibank good in India? ›

Citi India's balance sheet is considered among the best performing in the Indian banking industry, with a net NPA level of 0.55% as of 31 March 2018.

Is Citibank shutting down? ›

In April 2021 Citigroup announced plans to exit consumer banking operations in 13 countries across Asia and Europe, including India.

What is Citibank reputation risk? ›

The Group Reputation Risk Committee (the “Committee”) has subsequently been established to provide governance and oversight for reputation risk, which is defined at Citi as “the risk to current or projected financial condition and resilience resulting from negative opinion held by key stakeholders”, for Citigroup and ...

Why Citigroup is failing? ›

During its early years, Citigroup was embroiled in a series of high-profile scandals, including tainted transactions with Enron and WorldCom, biased research advice, corrupt allocations of shares in initial public offerings, predatory subprime lending, and market manipulation in foreign bond markets.

Is Citibank in trouble? ›

Citibank has been in trouble with regulators, and was fined $400 million by the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 2021. The fine was for “unsafe and unsound banking practices,” which included sending around $900 million to the wrong recipients.

Which countries is Citibank exiting? ›

Shangai - Citi announced today that it will wind down its consumer banking business in China. Citi announced its plan to exit China consumer banking in April 2021, which is part of its broader global strategy refresh to exit consumer franchises in 14 markets in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Mexico.

Who owns Citibank now? ›

Who is buying Citibank India? ›

Axis Bank said on Wednesday that it has completed its acquisition of Citibank's India consumer and non-banking finance businesses.

Who is purchasing Citibank India? ›

Axis Bank completes acquisition of Citi's India consumer business in Rs 11,603-crore deal.

Who will acquire Citibank in India? ›

  • Axis Bank completes acquisition of Citibank India's consumer businesses in.
  • India; strongly positions Axis Bank for accelerated premium market share.
  • growth.
Mar 1, 2023

Is Citibank good in USA? ›

Is Citi a good bank? Citi is a good bank if you're looking for solid full-service banking products and services and access to plenty of fee-free ATMs. If you're looking to earn the best interest rates on your deposits, you may find better rates at an online bank.

Is Wells Fargo or Citi better? ›

The bottom line: Citi® offers more CD terms and pays higher interest rates on savings accounts than Wells Fargo. If you're searching for the best checking account, it may be a tight race between Citi and Wells Fargo.

Which bank is best for India? ›

Overview of 10 Best Banks in India 2023
  1. State Bank of India (SBI) State Bank of India, the largest public sector no. ...
  2. HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank is a leading private sector bank known for its robust financial performance. ...
  3. ICICI Bank. ...
  4. Punjab National Bank (PNB) ...
  5. Bank of Baroda (BoB) ...
  6. Axis Bank. ...
  7. Canara Bank. ...
  8. Union Bank of India.
Jun 28, 2023

Is it safe to keep money in Citibank? ›

They offer a fixed rate of return, your money can be withdrawn in an emergency with no penalty, and your account is insured for up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ( FDIC ). That means your money is safe even in a major financial crisis.

Is Citibank NRI closing in India? ›

The bank is not shutting down its business although an exit process will be initiated right after the formal approval from the Reserve Bank of India. It will be a structured process without any changes in operations until the sale takes place.

Is Citibank merging with Axis Bank? ›

On March 1, 2023, Axis Bank announced that it has closed the acquisition of the consumer businesses of Citibank India and its non-banking finance arm, Citicorp Finance (India) Ltd for a total amount of Rs 11,603 crore ($1.41 billion).

Why is Citibank freezing accounts? ›

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 did my savings account get deleted? ›

Reasons a Bank Might Close Your Account

The bank could close your account and turn over its cash balance to the state as abandoned property if it can't get in touch with you. Here are other reasons a bank might close your account: You have a negative balance. You have excess overdraft fees.

Can the bank take from your savings account? ›

Banks can take money from your checking account, savings accounts, and CDs when you owe the same bank money on loans. This is called the "right to offset." Banks will typically seize money from your accounts when you're behind on loan payments and not working with them to repay the debt.

Who is the No 1 bank in India? ›

State Bank of India (5.23 lakh crore)

With a 23% market share by assets, the SBI is the largest public sector bank in the nation.

What is the average salary in Citibank India? ›

Average annual salary in Citibank is INR 15.7 lakhs .

Which bank is better HDFC or Citibank? ›

Citi scored higher in 9 areas: Overall Rating, Culture & Values, Diversity and Inclusion, Work-life balance, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits, Career Opportunities, Recommend to a friend and Positive Business Outlook. Hdfc scored higher in 1 area: CEO Approval.

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.

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.

Is Citigroup too big to fail? ›

As of 2023, eight American banks qualify as too big to fail in the narrowest sense — that is, they're under the jurisdiction of the Large Institution Supervision Coordinating Committee. Those banks are: JPMorgan Chase. Citigroup.

Is Citibank under investigation? ›

Citibank was not spared either

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. became the latest bank to be added to the list of growing financial institutions under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The New York-based bank made the revelation during its annual filing.

Has anyone been sued by Citibank? ›

Yes. Many original creditors do not file lawsuits or they sell their accounts to a debt buyer. Citibank has historically kept their own accounts and pursued them by filing collection lawsuits.

Can I sue Citibank? ›

How To Sue Citibank in Small Claims Court. If you have reached out to Citibank but still have not resolved the issue, small claims court is a fast and easy way to get your voice heard. Lawyers are often not permitted in small claims court, so you can save money by following this route.

Which bank failed in India? ›

Lakshmi Vilas Bank failed due to irregularities in lending large corporate loans and misuse of public fund deposits.

Why hasn t Citigroup recovered? ›

What led to poor performance in 2021. Citigroup came into 2021 facing several challenges. The bank, which has lagged its peers since the Great Recession, got into trouble in 2020 when it accidentally sent $900 million to the wrong parties due to a clerical error, which showed the lack of modernization at the bank.

Will Citi stock ever recover? ›

Citi has guided for a moderate recovery in Q1'2023 as both the equity and bond markets are more stable currently which is driving investors' activity as well as AUM recovery.

Is Citibank India down? ›

Citibank.com is UP and reachable by us.

What is the new strategy of Citibank? ›

Citi is aiming to bolster profits by focusing on its treasury and wealth management services, which provide more consistent revenues than potentially volatile returns from investment banking.

Where does Citibank rank in the world? ›

Citigroup is ranked 33rd on the Fortune 500 as of 2021.

Is Citibank exposed to Russia? ›

At the end of the second quarter 2022, Citi's remaining exposure to Russia stood at $8.4 billion, down from $9.8 billion at 2021 year-end, of which approximately $1 billion is related to the consumer and local commercial banking businesses in Russia.

Who is the largest shareholder of Citibank? ›

Shareholders
NameEquitiesValuation
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.122 %158,124,0957 008 M $
Massachusetts Financial Services Co. 1.025 %19,957,049884 M $
Eagle Capital Management LLC 0.9567 %18,625,493825 M $
BlackRock Investment Management LLC 0.8360 %16,274,951721 M $
6 more rows

Who is the largest shareholder of Bank of America? ›

The top shareholders of Bank of America are Thomas K. Montag, Brian T. Moynihan, Geoffrey S. Greener, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Is Capital One owned by Citibank? ›

No, Citibank and Capital One are not the same company. Citi and Capital One are completely independent companies, offering different products, operating separate rewards programs, and operating out of headquarters more than 200 miles from each other.

Why did Axis Bank buy Citibank? ›

The acquisition is a healthy strategic fit in line with Axis Bank's GPS (Growth, Profitability & Sustainability) strategy and its focus on premium segment growth. The Bank has gained access to the large, affluent and profitable customer franchise of Citibank, which aligns well with its Premiumization strategy.

Why Citi sold to Axis? ›

Why did Citi sell its consumer business? It was part of a global strategy. In 2021, Citigroup, the parent company of Citibank, had announced a decision to close its retail banking operations in 13 countries, including India, to re-align its global business strategy.

Who will bought Citi India? ›

Axis Bank completes acquisition of Citi's India consumer business in Rs 11,603-crore deal.

Which Bank is better Citi or Axis? ›

Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India offering the entire spectrum of financial services for personal & corporate banking. Citi is the leading global bank, serves more than 200 million customer accounts, and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions.

Which Bank will take over Citibank? ›

Yes, your Citi account will remain the same after the acquisition by Axis Bank.

Why Citibank is better than other banks? ›

Citi is a good bank if you're looking for full-service banking solutions at a brick-and-mortar institution. With its expansive fee-free ATM network and local branches across the country, Citi accounts offer convenient access to your money.

What is the deal between Axis Bank and Citibank? ›

Axis Bank announced on 1 March the completion of the acquisition of Citi India's consumer banking business for ₹11,603 crore . The bank said in a statement on Thursday that it made prudent accounting choices in relation to one-time items of ₹12,490 crore.

Will Citibank become Axis Bank? ›

Continue to use the Citi Mobile ® App or Citibank ® Online or reach out to CitiPhone ®, relationship managers, and Citibank branches (which will be now branded as Axis Bank) for all your needs.

Is Citibank leaving Asia? ›

Citi announced its plan to exit China consumer banking in April 2021, which is part of its broader global strategy refresh to exit consumer franchises in 14 markets in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Mexico.

Is Citibank active in India? ›

Citi India is backed by a network spanning 98 markets across the world. The bank serves close to 25 lakh (2.5 million) customers ranging from corporate houses, multinationals operating in India, SMEs, self-employed entrepreneurs, households, and individuals.

Does Citibank outsource to India? ›

Launched in 2003, Citi's middle office service supports over 750 funds in the Asia Pacific region. Citi has invested heavily in its Asia middle office outsourcing solution and employs more than 500 dedicated operations staff based in Australia, Malaysia, India, and Singapore.

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