Inside the Strategy Room 291. ‘Having a human bank is very important’: A conversation with Citi CEO Jane Fraser
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Feb 19, 2026 Jane Fraser, Chair and CEO of Citi, leading a multi-year transformation to modernize the bank for the digital age. She discusses global trends and regional differences, why engaging with China matters for AI and green tech, AI’s productivity lift and cyber risks, tokenization for instant cross-currency payments, and how refocusing on global platforms reshapes talent and strategy.
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Hangzhou Encounter Underscores Need To Engage
- Jane recounts walking in Hangzhou and being stared at by children who hadn't seen a Westerner recently.
- She uses the experience to argue for engagement and travel, not isolation.
Middle East Culture And Youth Offer Hope
- Jane describes Abu Dhabi's cultural projects and Saudi's youthful energy as uplifting.
- She sees youth and cultural confidence there as reasons for optimism about technological change.
Focus And Standardize To Win Global Clients
- Jane refocused Citi from "all things to all people" to a distinct global platform for multinationals.
- She standardized platforms, removed layers, and concentrated on cross-border services and trading to win at scale.