CITIGROUP is set to cut about 1,000 jobs this week as part of chief executive Jane Fraser’s march to keep a lid on costs and improve returns at the Wall Street bank.
The company, which had 227,000 employees at the end of September, is culling its ranks as part of a plan announced two years ago to eliminate 20,000 jobs by the end of 2026, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing non-public information.
Streamlining the bank and cutting waste has been a key goal for New York-based Citigroup, whose performance has long been a laggard compared to other major US lenders.
Under Fraser, who took the helm in 2021, the bank has undergone a revamp that’s included exiting much of its international retail business and restructuring its core operations.
“We will continue to reduce our headcount in 2026,” Citigroup said in a statement. “These changes reflect adjustments we’re making to ensure our staffing levels, locations and expertise align with current business needs; efficiencies we have gained through technology; and progress against our transformation work.”
It’s a busy week for Citigroup, which also plans to report full-year results on Wednesday and inform staff of their bonuses for 2025.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
Chief financial officer Mark Mason said two years ago that firmwide headcount would decline by roughly 60,000 by the end of 2026, to about 180,000 employees. That includes the 40,000 staffers that will leave when the firm lists its retail banking businesses in Mexico in an initial public offering.
To reach that target, the bank still will need to eliminate several thousand more jobs this year on top of this week’s cuts, as well as list the Banamex business.
In October, in a sign of confidence in Fraser’s leadership, she became the first Citigroup CEO since 2007 to also lead its board of directors. In November, the bank also announced Mason’s departure by the end of this year, as he searches for a CEO job elsewhere.
Citigroup’s share price soared 66 per cent last year, more than any other major bank. But the company, which is a major credit-card issuer, took a hit on Monday – falling about 3.1 per cent – after President Donald Trump demanded a cap on card lending rates charged to US consumers. BLOOMBERG
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
