Citibank appoints Cards Head in the UAE

This appointment comes at a time when Citibank, the consumer banking arm of Citi, has grown at an impressive rate during 2006 and 2007 owing mainly to a significant realignment and expansion in key distribution channels, including a strong sales team and ever increasing personal banking offer.

Dean joined Citi in April 2006 as the Marketing Director for the UK Consumer Bank with responsibility for the Credit Cards, Loans, Mortgages, Retail & Wealth Management businesses.

Prior to joining Citi, Dean spent 10 years with Lloyds TSB in various senior management positions in sales, strategy, marketing and relationship management. Whilst with Lloyds TSB Dean worked in both Retail and Corporate Banking Divisions as a member of the respective management teams.

According to Visa International's quarterly member bank statistics, Citibank continues to rank as No. 1 issuing bank in the UAE market for retail spending across all categories of credit cards, and has maintained this position consistently for many years.

"The UAE cards market is seeing rapid changes with the growing sophistication of customers and the continuous upgrade of the country's payment infrastructure," said Dean. "Together with our partners, we will continue to provide an array of value-packed products and services that suit the discerning needs of our customers."

Sanjoy Sen, Citibank's Country Business Manager for the UAE, added, "The cards business is an integral part of our customer offering. Owing to his vast experience, Dean will be instrumental in customising comprehensive banking solutions in the dynamic UAE market, while building and supporting a strong customer base."

Citi has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and currently offers consumer-banking services in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. In the UAE alone, Citi has had a presence for the past 43 years, and is expanding its major operations within the country. The bank is currently a major player in the UAE's credit card market and a leading provider of banking, Wealth Management and Consumer credit services.