Management Associate Program > Undergraduate/Master

Our Programs

Citi Markets & Banking’s Asia-Pacific network (excluding Japan) provides a full array of commercial, corporate and investment banking services throughout the region. Our extensive Asian branch network, with specialists and banking professionals who speak the local language, provides local and cross-border solutions and superior technology to our customers. Our Management Associate Program prepares you to take on one of these critical roles in Citi Markets & Banking.

About The Program

The objective of the program is to develop high-potential individuals for leadership roles in the areas of corporate banking, transaction services (Cash, Trade and Securities), sales and trading, risk management, operations and technology and financial control.

Management Associates exhibit strong leadership skills, flexibility and innovative thinking that will help them face the exciting challenges of working for a powerful and diverse financial services institution. At Citi, we have a team-oriented approach that emphasizes knowledge sharing and collaboration. Management Associates entering the Program will not only acquire advanced financial and technical knowledge, but also the leadership and interpersonal skills that will allow them to maximize their potential early and to define their own career.

The Program is 12 - 14 months in duration and includes a combination of classroom and on-the-job training, job assignments, and formal mentoring.

Training & Development

Management Associates attend a regional core developmental program that takes place in Shanghai or Manila. It is a 6-week intensive program that offers a comprehensive foundation of all corporate and investment banking products through a combination of classroom training, group projects and presentations. You will be exposed to the best-in-class product modules to gain essential knowledge and skills as you embark on your career at Citi. 

The six-week core training covers:

• Basic industry skills and knowledge

• Financial statements and accounting

• Risk

• Corporate Banking and Transaction Services products

• Investment Banking and Capital Markets Products

What happens after the program ends?

The Management Associates program concludes in a job placement.

Summer Diaries

Name:            Kelvin Neo
Division:        Global Relationship Banking
Group:           Citi Markets and Banking Singapore
School:          Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

 

Weeks 1 & 2

• What were your first impressions?
  I was impressed by the enthusiasm and life that is bristling in Global Relationship Banking (GRB) when I first reported for work. Everyone was engaged in their tasks and I am excited to be able to work in such a dynamic environment.
• Training
  I was given my tasks and deadlines to be met on my first day and from then on, I was given autonomy to decide what resources I would need to meet my deadlines. My colleagues were helpful and they were always ready to point me to where I could get the necessary information. When I encounter problems with my work, my colleagues will not hesitate to offer their assistance. Personally, I feel that such training confers many benefits. I was entrusted with responsibilities right from the start of my program and through the process of accomplishing my tasks; I learnt to be resourceful and independent. I was also able to enhance my problem solving skills through such a training experience. The trust my manager and colleagues placed in me had also created a positive effect on my self confidence and made my experience in Citi GRB a meaningful and memorable one.
• Networking with your peers
  Apart from interacting within our department, there are many occasions when cross department teams are brought together to accomplish a project or to provide a solution for a client. Such cross discipline teams promotes creativity and occasional fun amongst team members too.
  It was not all about work in GRB too. My colleagues, including my manager, do go out after work as well as during the weekends. It was fun as I always enjoyed the company of my colleagues.
• What is it like living and working in Singapore?
  Being born and educated in Singapore, I find Singapore an excellent place for one to begin his career in. Being one of the leading global financial centers, Singapore provides one with plenty of opportunities and exposure to global businesses and operations. This was further facilitated through working in a bank with extensive global presence such as Citi. Though life in Singapore can be fast paced and competitive, Singapore’s multi ethnicity coupled with a safe, clean and modern environment makes it a wonderful place to live in.

 

Weeks 3 & 4

• What type of work have you been assigned to?
  My job scope can be broken down into three main portions, being Event Organizing, Credit Analysis and Anti Money Laundering checks done on clients. For event organizing, my task was to assist the RMs to ensure that things run smoothly throughout the event and that the objectives of the events were met. This has taught me to appreciate the importance of time management and relationship management. For Credit Analysis, I was responsible for helping the RMs and RAs with credit reviews for clients. Under the guidance of my colleagues, I was able to gain a better understanding on the core business of a bank and the implications for a having a poor credit loan. For Anti Money Laundering checks, my task was to do due diligence checks on customers and I was able to learn more about our clients and their industries through the various checks and analysis that was done on them.
• Teamwork / Projects which requires me to work closely with colleagues
  My fellow colleagues were roped in to partake in this project on Anti Money Laundering Checks. Through the coordinated efforts from our department, we managed to complete the checks by the stipulated date. Furthermore, the camaraderie forged through working on this project further strengthened our department as a team. We had a celebration after the project and were subsequently rewarded by the regional head of GTS. As an intern, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a plaque, similar to what my colleagues had received.
• Mentors/Sponsors / Exposure to Management
  Working in Citi has been a wonderful experience as I feel appreciated. To aid my progression, my manager, colleagues, as well as seniors from other departments had been giving me constant feedback on my performance. In addition, what touched me was their willingness to take time off their busy schedule to understand my goals as well as to provide advice on the options I can take to achieve them. It is this “Wanting you to succeed” culture that reaffirms my decision to work in Citi upon graduation.
• Events
  Besides assisting my department in organizing events, I was given opportunities to attend all events organized by them. This not only provided me with an opportunity to be exposed to the latest market trends shared with our clients; I was also given opportunity to interact with some of our RMs clients too.

 

Weeks 5 & 6

• Have you been given additional responsibilities?
  I was tasked to manage our department’s clients’ contacts database. Apart from the maintenance of the database, I was given the authority to refine the database to cater to our department’s needs.
• Were your mid-summer reviews helpful for your development?
  My manager had given me constant feedbacks throughout my internship period. These feedbacks gave me a clearer picture of my performance and highlighted my shortcomings that hinder me from achieving my goals set for the internship in Citi. I really appreciate the feedbacks given as they were of great benefit to me in terms of character building as well as personal development.
• Exposure to other divisions
  My involvement in various projects provided me with opportunities to interact with colleagues from various departments. Through these exposures, I was able to better appreciate the structure of Citi and was impressed by how various specialists congregate to provide a solution for a client efficiently.
• Understanding of the Firm
  I was also deeply impressed with Citi’s entrepreneurial culture, its dedication to be the best in the finance industry as well as its commitment to its employees’ personal development.

 

Weeks 7 & 8

• What are the most interesting parts of your day? How are these unique to your division?
  The interaction with clients is definitely the most interesting aspect of my daily tasks. I was given opportunities to interact with clients on behalf of the RMs and the RMs and RAs were always there to encourage and support me.
  I also look forward to our department’s weekly meetings when business updates and strategies will be discussed amongst RMs and the department head. The topics discussed had given me a clearer picture of how GRB operates as well as how I play a part in the success of our team through the completion of my assigned tasks.

 

Weeks 9 & 10

• How do you feel you've contributed to your group and the Firm over the summer?
  My involvement has enabled my department to accomplish its summer projects. In addition, I am glad I have contributed some fun and laughter to my colleagues too.
• What are your last impressions? How did they measure against your expectations?
  GRB definitely gave me the chance to learn more than what I hoped for. Although I entered the department with the intention of gaining global exposure through working in a front office of a leading global bank, the enriching experience allowed me to develop a more mature mindset, as well as a mentality to constantly seek methods to do things better than before which will stand me in good stead in my future endeavours.
• What kind of advice would you lend a student looking into summer opportunities?
  Come in with an open mind to learn and contribute as much as you can. Apart from learning through the daily assigned tasks, take the opportunity to understand the culture, the organization and the people. Always be willing to go the extra mile, as the more you contribute, the more you learn and gain from this internship.
• What was your most memorable part of the internship and your overall summer?
  My fellow colleagues, as they are the main reason why GRB is such a wonderful place to learn and work in.

Who we are looking for

We asked our Management Associate Program recruiters to describe what makes a good candidate and what specific skills they are looking for:

• Undergraduate / Masters / MBA degree  

• Strong academic performance

• Leadership potential

• Strong planning, project management and quantitative skills

• Results-oriented, with strong initiative and integrity

• Flexibility, adaptability and resilience to work in a challenging environment

• Global mindset

• Commitment to a career in financial services

Recruitment Process

We open for applications on September 3, 2007

Country	Application Deadline(s)	Remarks
China	December 31, 2007	Masters ONLY
Hong Kong	March 31, 2008: Country MA Program March 31, 2008: Operations & Technology MA Program March 31, 2008: Finance MA Program	Tri-lingual candidates preferred: English/ Cantonese/ Mandarin
India	All Year Round: Country MA Program All Year Round: Operations & Technology MA Program
Indonesia	January 31, 2008: Country MA Program (April 2008 intake) July 31, 2008: Country MA Program (September 2008 intake) March 31, 2008: Internship Program (between May 1 and August 31, 2008)	Masters ONLY
Korea	October 19, 2007: Country MA Program (August 2008 intake)	MBAs ONLY
Malaysia	April 30, 2008	Undergraduate With minimum 2 years of work experience, or Masters / MBAs
Philippines	All Year Round
Singapore	October 31, 2007
Taiwan	March 31, 2008
Thailand	All Year Round
Vietnam	All Year Round

Please apply early. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The selection process varies slightly from country to country, but usually consists of a combination of multiple 1-1 interviews, and a final round panel interview or assessment centre. 

Country	Numerical/Verbal Reasoning Test(s)	1-1 Interview(s)      (phone / in person)	Panel Interview(s)	Assessment Centre
China	Y	Y		Y
Hong Kong		Y	Y
India	Y	Y	Y
Indonesia		Y	Y
Korea		Y
Malaysia		Y	Y
Philippines		Y	Y
Singapore	Y	Y	Y	Y
Taiwan		Y	Y
Thailand	Y	Y	Y
Vietnam		Y

 

Our People

Fransiska Gunadi Master of Applied Finance, Monash University Assistant Manager

What advice would you offer prospective candidates on transitioning from school to the workplace?

Be ready to work hard! Don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions and feel hunger to learn. I believe hard work is close to success, but please don’t feel intimidated by it.
Make sure you learn something new everyday and show your interest in your work by ask questions. Believe me it helps yourself to gain more knowledge, nonetheless also help your supervisors to know that you have great passions in doing your job. All the best!

If asked about your career at a dinner party, how would you describe it?

Challenging, demanding but exciting. In Citi, there are a lot of things to learn. This motivates me to go work everyday, because there are always new things to explore going forward.

What about your career excites you the most - gets you out of bed in the morning?

I would say opportunities to explore my self and learn new things everyday from my colleagues. I enjoy working with many experienced and talented colleagues. Since I joined with Citi, I feel become a better person. That’s what excites me the most!

How would you describe your team and the people you work with?

Citi teams are filled with professionals, experienced, charismatic and hardworking individuals. Every person contributes to the successfulness of the team, where as a junior in the bank I enjoyed the supportive environment for me to grow.

What other groups do you liaise with regularly within the Firm?

I gain significant exposure to interact with number of different units in the bank from my one-year experience with Citi. In my current role within GTS team, my responsibility is to assist the execution of one new product in the Cash Management team. Consequently, I work closely with Operations & Technology team and other supporting units (which includes compliance, legal, finance, etc).

How do you apply your degree to what you're doing now?

I have my Master degree in Applied Finance and B.Comm in International Business, which provided me with a solid foundation of concepts in management. In my current role as management associate, the educational background I have equipped me with skills especially in decision making process. In addition, all presentations and group projects from my educations has provided me the foundation for team work and good communication skills. This has helped me to deliver my presentations in meetings and also making decision related to my responsibilities.

What skills have you found to be the most useful in your position?

In my current role in GTS, I believe not only technical skills such as knowledge about Citi’s products/services which play an important part but also communications skill, decision making process and analytic thinking, which each plays its significant roles.

Silas Lee BBA, National University of Singapore Managing Director

What advice would you offer prospective candidates on transitioning from school to the workplace?

Start from ground zero, learn and absorb anything and everything you could possibly manage. There is no short cut to success.

If asked about your career at a dinner party, how would you describe it?

Never a dull moment

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

Global reach with in-depth local knowledge

How would you describe your team and the people you work with?

Best in class. Totally professional and great fun to work with.

What outside influences have the most bearing on what you do day to day, and how do they affect you? (e.g., economic news, world markets, company data, etc.)?

My faith. Help to keep my path straight

What skills have you found to be the most useful in your position?

People Management

What do you enjoy doing outside work?

Spending time with my family

What is the most interesting fact about yourself?

An avid photographer

Yuthadej Putamanonda BBA Finance and Marketing, Thammasat University Director

Describe the most memorable experience you've ever had at Citi.

Ability to have hands on experience in running your own projects or products very early in your career. Scope of roles and responsibilities as junior management is really unfounded in other financial institutions.

What outside influences have the most bearing on what you do day to day, and how do they affect you? (e.g., economic news, world markets, company data, etc.)?

Global Transaction Services is the management of Liability side of the business for the bank. This means it is heavily dependent on external factors, namely market interest rate, FX, etc. Last but not least, competition. As leader in our field, we are constantly bombarded by competitor’s bid to take away our # 1 position.

How do you apply your degree to what you're doing now?

What I have learned in school actually gives me a foundation and framework on my thought process. Having solid foundation, you are more susceptive to get up the curve quicker during your initial years working at the bank.

How has Citi supported your career development?

Citi is a great school. Citi provide initial training and consistent challenges to better yourself. The option to rotate into other jobs or other countries actually gives staff ability to broaden your horizon.

Describe your experience in your specific training program.

Leadership training and train to be trainer program are the most useful training at my current role. Gives you overview on how to best manage team.

If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present) who would it be and why?

John Reed – As chairman of Citibank, John was able to bring Citi out of a slump and dominate the FI International business arena to date.

What is the most interesting fact about yourself?

As Bachelor degree graduate, I was able to constantly move up the corporate ladder. Shows you that you are able to master the craft if you are open to learn, not only in school but on the job.