Citibank Opening Ceremony

On 20th April 2010, company send me to act as one of the representative to attend grand opening ceremony of Citibank branch at Taipan USJ. You might wonder why am I so lucky get picked to perform such honourable job for the company. Well, let just say, I got the knack. *evil laugh*

The grand opening ceremony at Taipan USJ will concurrently open for 3 more branches at the same time at Melaka, Kuantan and Cheras . This was made possible with live feed from Taipan USJ opening ceremony channelled to 3 other branches in order to synchronise the 4 branches opening. This auspicious day would therefore record the numbers of Citibank branches nationwide to 11.


A press conference was held at the top floor inside Citibank branch before the opening ceremony ie ribbon cutting event to be held at the entrance.


The grand opening ceremony is witness and officiate by Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Nanavati ( brown man ), Consumer Markets Head at Citibank Bhd, Fabio Fontainha ( the Brazillian with light blue tie ) * You can check out his outstanding portfolio here* ,Citibank Bhd Head of Retail bank Paul Hodes and the ever beautiful Citibank Taipan USJ branch manager Tan Fung Fung.


It's rather unorthodox and surprise to see a new Citibank branch suddenly emerge out of the blue since we can hardly find any Citibank branch in Klang Valley nowadays other than the scarced-existing branch at Jalan Ampang, Puchong, Damansara Perdana and Klang. Suddenly they decide to pop 4 branches out without our knowledge ( as if our views are essential).

Their scarce existence in Malaysia's banking industry from the outlook itself is clearly contributed by the great dominance by Maybank, Alliance and Hong Leong Bank alike in our economy. No matter wherever you go , no matter no matter you turn left or turn right, you can't avoid seeing them unlike Citibank. Have to travel extraordinary miles to find one.


Despite the brand dominance by less deserving banks thence undermine Citibank's popularity for banking noobies, however, it's important to highlight that Citibank's humble existence in Malaysia wasn't due to their weak position in our economy but it was the fact that they're simply too strong an enemy and poses imminent threat to the livelihood of our local banking company as to wit, the beloved Maybank ,Alliance and Hong Leong Bank and therefore its essence to regulate and deter their growth. If regulation were not properly set in place to deter and control international banks operation in Malaysia, it might someday open rooms for international influence to hold our currency at ransom as we're relying too much on foregin capital thereby builds a long term debtor and creditor relationship with the international banks.

Anyway,among the few vision aspired by Citibank group in conjunction with newly open branches in Malaysia is the bank aims to enhance its internet banking platform not only for existing customers but also to reach to more Malaysians as well as to support the growth of virtual banking platforms. Citibank vision I believe might easily succeed and achieved since they have provided service to almost 60% of the population in Malaysia with a strong internet banking platform that has been rated the best for three years in a row.







Actually I'm not very good in banking. What stated is merely my 50 cent views. Probably inaccurate. Ask a banker if you want to know more.