Citi today announced a significant expansion of its North Asia and Japan corporate banking desk network, increasing headcount by 25% and adding dedicated bankers in six locations worldwide. The expansion follows sustained, double-digit growth in client activity across the bank's current desk network. New investment will be directed across South America, Europe and parts of Asia to support strong, client-led activity originating from corporate clients headquartered in Japan, Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan. The desks support multinational corporates across the world as they expand outside their home markets, with Banking, Markets and Services products — including financing, foreign exchange and hedging, payments, cash management and trade finance. The desk network is a proven, high-value channel to bridge language and cultural nuances for clients looking to do business in different parts of the world. "Citi is seeing strong client growth across a number of corridors connecting markets in North Asia and Japan with global markets. These investments underline our commitment to clients to invest further to support their growth and expansion," said JianXun (JX) Toh, head of corporate banking, Japan, Asia North and Australia (JANA). The bank's ambition is to be the preeminent banking partner for clients with cross-border needs. Citi is present in 90 countries, operates across 3,800 corridors and moves $6 trillion every day. Over 60% of the bank's clients have banked with Citi for more than 10 years, and over 60% of revenue comes from clients operating across more than five countries. 80% of US and Global Fortune 500 companies are Citi clients. China desk expansion: supporting Chinese corporates' global ambitions Citi also announced the expansion of its dedicated China desk network, with new hubs being added in Brazil and Europe. These complement existing centres in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, London, New York, San Francisco and South Africa. The expansion supports the next phase of Chinese corporates' global growth ambitions — as they move beyond low-cost manufactured exports and cross-border acquisitions to building hi-tech supply chain ecosystems overseas, focusing on AI infrastructure, electric vehicles, consumer electronics and green energy. Chinese companies are increasingly using global banks like Citi to execute foreign exchange hedging, manage trade exposure and support capital expenditure requirements — keeping cross border activity buoyant. Client activity linked to Central Asia has also doubled over the past six months, driven by more trade and corporate activity between China and the region's nations. There is also a surge in activity in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Citi launched a new desk in Chicago Earlier this year, Citi announced the launch of a new Korea Desk in Chicago, expanding its on-the-ground financial support for Korean corporate clients entering the North American market. Chicago's strategic position as a hub for manufacturing and logistics in the US Midwest makes it a key gateway connecting markets throughout North America. Since opening its inaugural Korea Desk in New York in 1993, Citi has consistently supported the global expansion of Korean corporate clients in major financial centres in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The Chicago Korea Desk now joins an established network spanning London, Prague, Warsaw, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chennai, New York, Atlanta and Monterrey. Korean corporate clients are rapidly expanding their presence across North America in diverse industries including manufacturing, power, semiconductors and services. Each Korea Desk operates through close collaboration between local Citi professionals and Citi Korea bankers — acting as a direct conduit between clients' Korean headquarters and their overseas subsidiaries. Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker
