Citi touts global consistency with a local flavour
Rajesh Mehta, Citi regional head of treasury and trade solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says there are more similarities than differences between the different markets he has worked in around the globe.
Citi prides itself on being truly global, having built its international presence by following its multinational clients over the world.
This global approach also extends to the career path of its senior bankers. It is not uncommon to meet Citi bankers who are from one place, worked in another and now find themselves in their latest post on the international banking circuit.
The career path of Rajesh Mehta, Citi regional head of treasury and trade solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), is a case in point. A Citi banker for 30 years, his career path has taken him to many different countries. Beginning his career in India, he has held positions in Singapore, Indonesia and Mexico. His career then took him to Buenos Aires, where he was regional cash management and trade head for Latin America.
In 2002, he became head of global transaction services for sub-Saharan Africa, based in Johannesburg. In 2007, he moved again to take up the role of regional payments head for EMEA in London, adding cash management products to his role in the same year and then trade products in 2008. He has been the EMEA regional head of treasury and trade solutions since April 2013.
Commenting on his international experience, Mr Mehta says there are more similarities than differences between the markets, although he stresses the importance of respecting cultural differences. For the global transaction banking industry, he says the challenge is to have global reach, scale and consistency “but with a healthy dose of local flavour”.
