Citi to support financial inclusion, microfinance in India

MUMBAI: Banking behemoth Citigroup is keen to be a part of India's growth story and will continue to focus on microfinance and support initiatives in the areas of financial inclusion and education, Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit has said.

"We have a strong franchise in India and are looking forward to being a part of India's growth," said Pandit.

"From helping India's top global corporations, to supporting the growth ambitions of its small and mid-sized enterprises, to helping individuals and households build their financial futures, we will play a major role in India's economic future."

"We will continue to emphasise on microfinance and support India's priorities, particularly in the areas of financial inclusion and financial education," he said.

India is set to grow for a long time and the American bank will grow with India, he said.

Having been through one of the most challenging economic environments, Citi is now a fundamentally different company than it was just two years ago, the CEO said.

"Today, we are following three core principles in Citi. First, we are focused on being a global bank. Second, we are focused on serving our client interests. And third, we are leading with our competitive strength," he said.