Citibank launches the national Customers Segment Unit

Lead by Mr. Aqeel Jaffer Ali, who is currently the Branch Banking Head at Citibank's Main Branch, the UAE Customer Segment Unit aims at developing a new concept in customer service with a view to providing banking, finance and investment services to UAE customers at dedicated lounges within Citibank branches and other sales centers across the different Emirates.

Among the Unit's priorities will be to customize investment portfolios that fit the different risk appetites and varying investment objectives of the local customers. Portfolios will span all known asset classes and will invest in different geographies. A Shari'a-compliant investment component would also be available upon request as part of a balanced investment approach.

Moreover, the UAE Customer Segment Unit will provide corporate banking and finance services to top clients who run their own businesses. This approach will be in line with the Unit's aim to be the one-stop banking shop for the targeted UAE customer.

"We aim, through this new strategy, to furnish state-of-the-art comprehensive service to customers who have different and unique banking requirements," according to Mr. Jaffer Ali.

"At Citibank, we want to be the one-stop shop for our customers by providing unparalleled local service, and a global network which covers more than 100 countries around the globe, including 9 Arab countries."

Mr. Jaffer Ali is a seasoned Citibanker with 16 years of experience within the bank. An MBA graduate from Oklahoma City University with a BS in Computer Science/Accounting from Central State University, he carries an all-round banking experience having worked in the bank's key areas of operations, technology, treasury, compliance, branches and investment services.

Along with Mr. Jaffer Ali, the Unit will feature high-caliber Emarati Relationship Managers who will develop and maintain relationships at par with the latest banking standards.

"At Citibank, we offer best-in-class banking service, evident in our range of superior products and services that are designed to maximize value for customers as well as provide them with the utmost convenience," said Sanjoy Sen, Citibank's Country Business Manager. "The UAE Customer Segment Unit will focus on top-tier customers through a combination of special banking and investment solutions provided by top level relationship specialists."

Citigroup has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as a critical part of the Bank's global franchise. It currently offers consumer banking services in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

In the UAE alone, Citibank has had a presence for the last 41 years, and it is expanding its major operations in the country, namely in consumer banking. In the last two years, the bank introduced the pioneering 8-8 branch hours, personal loan and auto loan products, Investment as well as Insurance services, and Wealth Management plans.