Citi India’s institutional asset book crosses ₹1 lakh crore despite consumer banking exit

Citibank N.A. India’s institutional client asset book has crossed the ₹1 lakh crore mark, with the US banking major achieving the milestone entirely through its institutional businesses despite having exited consumer banking in India.

The asset book grew by around ₹24,000 crore, or more than 30%, over the past 12 months, significantly ahead of the broader banking system, Citi India said in a statement on Thursday. The business has also recorded a double-digit compound annual growth rate over the past three years.

The growth has been driven by strong client activity, higher capital investment, expanding trade flows and sustained financing demand across key sectors of the economy, the bank said.

Institutional banking drives growth

Citi India's institutional asset book is spread across Indian corporates, multinational companies, financial institutions and commercial banking clients. Its financing portfolio includes working capital loans, trade finance, supply chain finance and structured financing solutions, including investments in pass-through certificates (PTCs) and corporate bond-related products.

Jeegar Shah, chief financial officer, Citi India, said the milestone reflected the scale of the institutional opportunity in India and investments made by the bank to expand its institutional banking franchise.

“This milestone reflects the scale of the institutional opportunity in India, the strength of the platform we have built to serve it, and the focused investments Citi has made to grow the institutional banking business,” Shah said.

He added that businesses in India are investing and expanding their supply chains while increasing their participation in global markets, creating more sophisticated requirements across financing, liquidity and risk management.

Citi sees sustained financing demand

Citi said the growth comes as Indian companies deepen their engagement with global markets and expand their operations, creating demand for a broader range of institutional financial services.

Roshni Shroff, country treasurer, Citi India, said crossing the ₹1 lakh crore mark reflected both strong client demand and the resilience of the bank's balance sheet.

“Over the past several years, we have deployed capital strategically in support of our clients' growth, while always balancing it with discipline in liquidity and risk management,” Shroff said.

The milestone comes despite Citi having no consumer banking business in India. The bank's Indian franchise is now focused on institutional clients, with its asset book diversified across industries, client segments and financing products.

Shroff said the milestone “underscores the strength of Citi's institutional franchise” and its readiness to support India's next phase of investment, trade and economic growth.