Citi Fan

There is a lot of Citi bashing on this site unfortunately. Some perspective may be in order.
Citi was, at one time, one of the premier banking organizations. It still is. During the 90s it grew rapidly through acquisitions and is now the largest organization in the world. I have had the distinct pleasure of working for Citi as a consultant and full-time employee. As a consultant I conducted process analysis and training to affect operational efficiencies related to capacity planning. As a full-time employee I was a Senior Learning and Performance Solutions Manager. My prorated salary as a consultant was $156K and $84K per year as a permanent employee. As a consultant I worked with country presidents, SBU managers and training regional managers as an employee.
Citi recruits heavily from the premier business schools in America. They have a close circle of insiders in every business. The former requires that you graduate from a first class business school and the latter a keen political acumen. In either case, and this is a gross generalization, you will find interesting and complex people at almost every level.
Nimble, entrepreneurial, run-it-like-you-own-it, candor, organization development, community commitment, people as a competitive advantage, personal accountability, and operational excellence are not words you should expect at Citi. Things may be changing, however.
While you shouldn’t expect a company managed by Warren Buffet soon; you may find that Citi is ready to “loosen the reigns” or is it “reins” of central planning.
Culture is a tough thing to manage; particularly when you’re going south and want to go north. Human resources and training, with executive ownership (of course), could turn this ship around. I would work there again if I heard the right things from the recruiter as they are the front line as to a new direction.
Listen carefully.

Worked there 20 years, gave my heart and soul to my career... was let go in April

Yup, seems more is coming up soon...

Kevin, not sure I really read your comments the 1st time, as you use a lot of words and dont say much. It almost appears you are writing a resume with no substance.

It is difficult to comment on one of the great franchises in the history of financial services. Except to say that it is not managed.

The organization is bereft of people on the front line who understand their responsibilities, middle managers who can add value, and executives who can articulate mission and strategy. C-Level managers expatriate themselves like Richard Kavocevich, Jammie Diamon, and Bob Willumstad. Sorry for the spellings.

You should be disgruntled, but I have no appology for a lot of words. You will have to figure out the substance and that is part and parcel to the problem.

Good news at C.

C was an "excellent" investment opportunity for me short term, thanks, and let's see what happens next. Good people fighting to stay relevant!!

BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A review of Citigroup Inc's management team, demanded by U.S. regulators in the aftermath of the financial crisis, gave it satisfactory marks, according to a person familiar with the matter.

However, the reviewers from outside consultant Egon Zehnder International were less favorable about two key members of Chief Executive Vikram Pandit's team -- Vice Chairman Lewis Kaden and Chief Administrative Officer Don Callahan, the source said.

The reviewers said some shuffling of senior executives might be necessary, the source said.

It was unclear which executives at Citigroup were initially targeted for the review.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Citigroup's board met Tuesday to consider a response to the review. Possible changes include reassigning roles or responsibilities among executives.

A Citigroup spokesman declined to comment.

Citigroup shares closed down 0.6 percent at $4.64 on the New York Stock Exchange, lagging a 1.2 percent gain in the sectoral KBW Banks index .

Reports have said that the review was conducted as a consequence of the bank's stress test earlier this year which required it to raise more capital.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp required the bank to hire an outside firm to perform its review and the board selected Egon Zehnder.

FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair has been a prominent critic of Citigroup's business practices and governance. The announcement last week that Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Ken Lewis was on the way out heightened speculation that Pandit could suffer the same fate.

Complaint: I called in August for my Mother (age 83) with her verbal authorization given by phone to speak with me. I, with my Mother's consent arranged a payment arrangement and the 1st payment would be autodrawn from her checking and all remaining payments would be paid via US Mail, as previously done. I was told by the Agent that I spoke with that the conversation was recorded, several times. I specifically had her assure me that no further payments would be deducted automatically from my Mother's checking account - which she did, on a recorded call.

Today, (10/14/09) I receive a letter addressed to both my Mother and myself advising me a payment would be pulled automatically from her checking on 10/2/09 !!! Two weeks ago !

I called, as my Mother is in Renal Failure in a hospital and they tell me they can't give me any information. I was on the phone for 90 minutes and disconnected 3 times. I was not asking for account specific information - I wanted them to listen to the recorded call from August where I was assured this would not happen. They would not listen to me and said I need Power of Attorney.

This was their error (or perhaps intentional)and I have to jump through hoops to have them investigate it?

I spoke to several Representatives and Supervisors and a Manager - all were rude and abrupt, rather than listening and trying to assist, they stood behind the "authorized user" line. Then why was my name on the letter ???

The persons who were rude and did not assist, were: Anne (VCI2758)Account Manager Mrs. Lockman, Pyt. Arrangement Agent, Melvin, Supervisor "Pam" who hung up on me, Isabell (RPQ1236), Rishi who transferred me to Mesul who hung up on me and then Manog (273952).

I never swore, I got pushy, but never rude. They all kept talking over me. I asked Manog for a number to file a complaint and he said there was none, but he wished I would file a complaint - very rude and said I was not his customer- I was in August!