雅虎香港財經 Citigroup (C) Divests Consumer Wealth Business to HSBC in China
Citigroup Inc. C has successfully completed the sale and migration of its onshore China-based consumer wealth portfolio to HSBC Holdings plc HSBC China. More than 300 employees of Citigroup were transferred to HSBC as part of the deal.
This deal was first announced in October 2023. Going by October 2023 news, the transaction involved the transfer of total deposits and investment assets under management of around $3.6 billion. Per the previously signed agreement, Citigroup will transfer its remaining credit card portfolio in China to Fubon Bank in 2024.
Citigroup’s institutional businesses in China remain unaffected by this divestment. The bank continues to focus on serving institutional clients in China locally, regionally and globally.
This divestment is part of C’s broader strategy to exit consumer banking operations in 14 markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Mexico. Citigroup has completed sales in nine of these markets, including Australia, Bahrain, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, to date. Furthermore, the bank is gradually winding down its consumer banking operations in Korea and its overall presence in Russia.
Citigroup’s country officer and banking head for China, Luke Lu, stated, “Citi is intently focused on growing Citi’s institutional businesses in China, serving clients in the market through our network to support their cross-border needs.”
Head of Legacy Franchises at Citigroup, Titi Cole, mentioned, “We have made significant progress in executing Citi’s strategy, and completing this transaction is another important step forward in simplifying the firm.”
Citigroup's strategic exits from these markets will free up capital, which will allow it to align investments and resources to the businesses where it has the greatest scale and growth potential.
Over the past six months, shares of C have gained 27.8% compared with the industry’s growth of 21.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Citigroup currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Similar Actions Taken by Other Banks
WaFd, Inc WAFD entered into an agreement to sell 2,000 commercial multi-family real estate loans to Bank of America BAC for $2.9 billion in an effort to trim its commercial real estate exposure. The loans have an unpaid principal balance of $3.2 billion.
Upon the completion of the deal, expected on Jun 21, BAC plans to enter into a structured transaction or loan sale with one or more funds managed or advised by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. WAFD and BAC will undergo due diligence through Jun 18 and if either party fails to finalize the deal, the other is entitled to 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price for each loan.
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