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Citibank Sells Greek Wealth Management Arm
Citibank has signed an agreement with Alpha Bank to sell its wealth management arm as wll as its retail operation in Greece.
Citibank has signed
an agreement with Alpha Bank to sell its wealth management arm as
well as its retail operation in Greece.
Alpha Bank said in a statement that under the agreement the
acquired operations comprise Citi’s wealth management unit,
including assets under management of €2.1 billion ($2.85 billion)
out of which €1 billion is in deposits and €400 million mainly
credit card balances.
As a result of the acquisition approximately 730 employees
working for Citi’s retail operations, along with 20 branches,
will be transferred to the Alpha Bank network.
Citi said it intends to focus on expanding the services it offers
to Greek corporations, financial institutions, shipping, private
bank and public sector clients as well as continuing to service
its multi-national clients with operations in Greece.
The sale forms part of Citi’s strategy to wind down Citi Holdings
by divesting non-core operating businesses and assets
portfolios.
"This decision furthers Citi’s global strategy of focusing our
resources where we feel we have a competitive advantage, which
includes our corporate banking businesses in Greece,” Grant
Carson, CEO of Citi Greece said in a statement.
The sale is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals
and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.