Citi to ramp up social finance in Asia

A special team of 20 bankers was developed for this initiative.

Citi is bolstering its social finance endeavours in Asia by enlisting over 20 bankers from its existing teams across the region. 

The Citi Social Finance team, a globally dedicated industry specialist group, will receive support from these professionals to provide subject matter expertise and assist clients in expanding access to essential services for underserved populations.

These Asia-based bankers will encompass various aspects of Citi's operations, including country management, corporate banking, and commercial banking, in markets spanning Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

ALSO READ: DBS completes integration of Citi Taiwan consumer business

In each of these countries, dedicated social finance champions will collaborate with businesses to develop innovative programs and debt solutions. These solutions may include term debt, bonds, IPOs, securitizations, as well as partnerships with development agencies and impact investors.

Citi's extended focus on Asia builds upon its growing involvement in social finance in the region in recent years. 

This involvement has included financing affordable housing loans for low- and middle-income populations in Indonesia, providing funding to support microfinance growth for women entrepreneurs in the Philippines, enabling digital connectivity with Home Credit in the Philippines and Indonesia, and supporting farmers in India through economic inclusion and food security initiatives.