Citi, one of the oldest financial institutions in the Southeast Asian region, has committed to support Thai and regional corporates’ ambitions via its unmatched global network and local expertise.
Jan Metzger, Citi’s Asia Pacific Head of Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory, said Asean is a strategic hub, and Citi is deeply embedded in the financial services sector.
It is represented in nearly every business, including banking, capital markets and advisory, treasury and trade solutions, global markets and securities services, commercial banking, and private banking.
“Citi is extremely optimistic about the growth prospects of Thailand and Asean in the post-Covid era as multinational companies look to expand their presence in the region, capture new market segments and diversify global supply chains,” he said.
With its global network, physical presence in 95 markets, local trading desks in 77 markets, and custody networks in 63 markets, Citi is well positioned to support the cross-border needs of both corporates and individuals in the region.
As technology adoption accelerates and retail e-commerce increasingly becomes a consumption medium, many companies are expanding and adopting direct-to-consumer models which means Citi needs to be able to support payment flows from consumer-to-business (C2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C), said Mr Metzger.
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Citi is focused on being the partner of choice for digital commerce and helping clients navigate evolving trends through its payments, liquidity, and cash management services, he added.
“The explosion of technology also means that new companies are either born global or going global at record speed, which initiates the need for more capital, giving rise to more capital-raising activity or strategic partnerships as companies look to expand beyond their home markets,” he said.
“At Citi, across services, markets and banking, technology is helping us deliver our greatest asset — our global network — to a client base that prioritises growth, efficiency and the ability to access international markets and opportunities.”
Whether through proprietary platforms, or partnerships with FinTechs as well as investments in emerging technologies, Citi is focused on serving the needs of clients not just for today, but for a future that is rapidly evolving with growing complexity, said Mr Metzger.
Through its vast global network and on-the-ground expertise, Citi can connect the dots, anticipate change, and understand the needs of its clients and customers in ways that other banks simply cannot.
Citi facilitates over US$4 trillion in financial flows every day, serves over 100 million customers in its retail and wealth management business, and over 13,000 institutional clients, including 90% of global Fortune 500 companies.
In today’s world, companies are faced with the challenge of transitioning towards sustainability. To this end, Citi, according to Mr Metzger, is leveraging its expertise and resources to assist its clients in addressing climate and energy-related issues, while simultaneously identifying opportunities in the transition process.
By supporting its clients in this energy transition, Citi aims to ensure the transition is fair, inclusive, responsible, and orderly.
“Sustainability is a non-negotiable for resiliency and is good for business in the long term,” he said.
In Asean, Citi recently led a couple of large transactions in Indonesia and has a strong pipeline across the Asia Pacific region.
While there are a few green shoots of activity in the region, Citi expects deal-flow to pick up in the second quarter once market sentiment improves and there’s consensus on interest rate direction, said Mr Metzger.
“There is an unprecedented creation of new and exciting companies in Asia and Thailand that will need capital market support in the medium to long term.
“Citi is staying close to its clients and advising them to be prepared to tap market windows of opportunity,” he said.
Further, Citi is committed to providing world-class banking services to Thai corporations across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, technology, consumer goods, and manufacturing.
The bank has a long-standing reputation for excellence and has been recognised as the “Best Bank in Asia” by various industry publications.
In addition, Citi has a deep understanding of the Thai market and culture, which is essential for building strong relationships and delivering tailored solutions to clients.
The bank’s local expertise is unmatched, and its team of experienced professionals can provide valuable insights into the regulatory landscape, local business practices, and market trends.
Citi is also focused on supporting Thai corporations’ sustainability efforts, as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues become increasingly important to investors and stakeholders.
The bank’s global ESG expertise can help Thai companies navigate the complex landscape of sustainability and identify opportunities to enhance their environmental and social impact while maintaining financial performance.
“Citi is uniquely positioned to support Thai corporations’ growth and development, both locally and internationally.
“With its unmatched global network, local expertise, and commitment to sustainability, Citi can help Thai companies navigate the challenges and opportunities of the post-Covid era and beyond,” said Mr Metzger.