Enabling growth and economic progress since 1964
Citi’s journey in the United Arab Emirates started in 1964 when Citibank, a member of Citigroup, opened its first branch in Dubai followed by Abu Dhabi in 1971. Since then, the bank came to be known for delivering excellence and consistently introducing the latest banking products and services to the UAE market. In 2006, Citi opened its regional Middle East office at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) following approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate as an authorized firm.
Citi was granted a license by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in 2018 to set up a branch of Citibank NA at ADGM. The new Citi branch provides liquidity management solutions to Citi’s clients looking to establish regional Treasury centres in the UAE.
Citi UAE serves as a regional hub for Citi’s Middle East & Africa cluster and as one of the four Citi Wealth Management Hubs in the World with set out plans to triple assets under management in the UAE only.
Country Leadership
Maria Ivanova
Citi Country Officer, United Arab Emirates
Shamsa Al-Falasi
CEO of Citibank, N.A. UAE Onshore Branch
Recent Awards and Recognition
Euromoney Awards for Excellence
- Best Investment Bank in the UAE 2022
- Middle East's Best Bank for Transaction Services 2022
- Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East Award, 2017
- Best Investment Bank in the Middle East Award, 2018
- Best M&A House in the Middle East, 2015
- Best M&A House in the UAE, 2013
International Financing Review’s (IFR)
- Emerging Markets Bond House of the Year, 2021
- Emerging Markets Bond House of the Year, 2018
Global Finance Digital Banks & Innovators Awards, 2018
- Best Corporate/Institutional Digital Bank in the UAE
- Best in Mobile Banking (Corporate/Institutional) in the UAE
- Most Innovative Digital Bank (Corporate/Institutional) in the UAE
- Best Bank in Mobile Banking
- Best Information Security and Fraud Management Bank in UAE
Global Finance World’s Corporate/Institutional Bank Digital Bank Awards 2022
- Best Best Online Cash Management Services (Middle East and Africa)
- Best in Social Media Marketing and Services (Middle East and Africa)
- Best Open Banking APIs (Middle East and Africa)