Strengthening ties

To forge a commitment and show support for its Japanese corporate clients in the Philippines, Citi hosted “Japan Day” at its Citi Smart Branch in Makati City.

Citi Philippines CEO Batara Sianturi welcomed the guests and said, “For more than 200 years, Citi has been enabling progress for our clients. Here in Asia, we are proud of a legacy that spans 112 years. We first opened our doors in China in 1902, and in the same year, established offices in several other countries including the Philippines and Japan. In recent years, we established our Japan Desk to better focus on your unique needs, and promoting discussions on how we can leverage our global footprint as you build your businesses here in the Philippines. No other financial institution is better positioned to support your growth strategies.”

Citi Japan deputy head of corporate banking division Katsuhisa Ishikawa, who also serves as deputy head of corporate banking division, flew in for the affair. While addressing the clients, Ishikawa reiterated Citi’s commitment to support its Japanese clients and provided an update on Citi’s Japan Desk Network. Citicorp Investment Bank (Singapore) Ltd. director Tetsushi Ayukawa also made the trip to Manila and briefed clients on the economic outlook and currency forecasts.

The celebration culminated with a tour of the venue, the interactive Citi Smart Branch. Built with digital media walls, the Smart Branch is designed to invite customers to walk in and receive product information in an interactive format. Customers can open an account or transact at a workstation or even on a tablet all on their own or step into a private briefing room with video connectivity to an expert at a remote location. The Citibank Express machine, a global first, is the centerpiece of the branch, with a host of self-service options provided through a user-friendly interface. 

Guests provided positive feedback following the tour and used the opportunity to network with executives from different industries.