Global Transaction Services > Analyst

Business Description

We have designed these sections to aid you in your understanding of what Global Transaction Services (GTS) is, the services we provide to our clients and how we are structured. In the subsequent tabs we have asked for input from our Analysts/Summer Interns and also the recruiters describe the type of person we are looking for as well as the recruitment process.

What is Global Transaction Services (GTS)?

Global Transaction Services provides innovative banking solutions to more than 45,000 financial institutions, corporate clients and public sector entities around the world. With a global network spanning 100 countries, we are uniquely qualified to service clients with local and cross-border interests and provide integrated reporting and management. Our consultative approach and focus on relationship banking enables us to help clients address strategic financial and operating issues, such as working capital and liquidity management, asset management, treasury integration, and exposure and risk management.

What service do we provide to our clients?

Global Transaction Services offers a broad range of cash management, treasury, trade, custody, clearing, fund administration, securities financing, depositary receipt, and agency and trust services. Our global platform is unique in the industry for its reach, interoperability and flexibility. It provides clients with timely, accurate information and dynamic, web-based tools to effectively manage their securities portfolios, financial positions, working capital and supply chain around the world. Combined with a worldwide network of dedicated and experienced transaction services professionals, Global Transaction Services is well suited to serve clients anywhere they do business.

We offer a broad spectrum of solutions to our clients:

• We help corporations make and receive payments, optimize their working capital and efficiently connect their financial supply chain. In short, we help Treasurers efficiently manage the liquidity in their balance sheet and provide open account credit that facilitates trade with their suppliers and distributors.

• We provide middle and back office solutions, from fund administration, global custody and fiduciary services to shareholder administration (also known as transfer agency) and securities lending, to Asset Managers, Pension Funds and Hedge Funds. Increasingly, pensions funds and asset managers trade derivatives as part of their portfolio, and we are one of the first in the market with the capability to extend OTC (over the counter) derivatives processing support to this client segment.

• Our agency and trust business supports Note Issuers in the capital markets, M&A and asset securitization deal-makers, corporate consortia, etc. with paying agency services and corporate trust facilities.

• We deliver operating efficiency to Public Sector Entities, from providing postal agencies with banking infrastructure for their post banks, extending securities lending and cash management to central banks, and helping utility companies consolidate and reconcile payments from their end-customers, to delivering government pensions and welfare payments to beneficiaries around the world.

What product/groups do we cover?

Transaction Services typically incorporates three main product areas, which are Cash Management, Trade Services and Finance, and Securities and Fund Services.

Cash Management

Cash Management delivers treasury solutions that empower our clients to optimize visibility, connectivity, and control, enabling them to enhance their financial performance. We are one of the largest processors of cash flows globally. Cash Management offers clients over 50 global services, spanning Payments, Receivables, Liquidity and Investments, Information Services and Commercial Cards, all supported by ten regional processing centers worldwide. We lead the industry in our ability to provide global solutions, using award-winning, innovative platforms supported by local experts in markets around the world. Our clients include corporations, financial institutions and governments. The business has been recognized for excellence by many publications including Euromoney, The Banker and Global Finance.

Trade Services and Finance

Citi - with the largest trade services network in the world, spanning 72 countries and 104 cities - offers the broad range of solutions that meet our global trade clients' needs. From risk mitigation to financing, settlement to information, Citi's trade experts and four regional processing centers offer around-the-clock operations support and deliver world-class solutions to suppliers, buyers and financial institutions. Trade Services and Finance meets the needs of both importers and exporters by providing industry-leading settlement, effective risk mitigation and innovative trade finance solutions – enabling them to safely expand their cross-border trade business around the world. Trade Services and Finance has also been recognized by leading publications, including Trade Finance, Global Finance and Trade & Forfeiting Review.

Securities and Fund Services

Securities Services is a leader in domestic and cross-border transaction services for the world's investors, intermediaries and issuers with more than $9.3 trillion in assets under custody and trust. Offering the industry largest proprietary network, Citi consistently ranks as the premier choice for custody, clearing, securities finance, global agency and trust and depositary receipt services in more markets than any other bank, according to industry surveys. Investment managers, broker-dealers and global custodians rely on Citi for authoritative market intelligence, state-of-the-art processing capabilities, and responsive client service.

Fund Services is a leading service provider to the global mutual fund, hedge fund and offshore fund industries. Citi has provided turnkey fund services solutions to the investment industry since 1986.

Operating in 18 countries, Citi's primary fund administration centers are located in Portland, Maine; Toronto; Bermuda; Edinburgh, U.K.; Dublin, Ireland; Luxembourg; Warsaw; Singapore; Hong Kong; and Tokyo. These operations centers provide a comprehensive set of services to all investment fund structures.

 

Roles of an Analyst

What Global Transaction Services offers:

The realisation of innovation and break-out growth strategies in the commercial world are, from a financial perspective, reliant on a company's operating efficiency (i.e. financial appetite to invest) and the ability to execute and make that vision a reality, i.e. how do they price, how do they connect the financial flows, how do they account for and report to the respective legal entities and regulatory bodies, etc. This is where GTS plays a critical role, both with execution and ongoing consultation, given the long-term partnerships we have established with our clients.

There is not only a diversity of roles to challenge talented individuals across a broad base of skill-sets within our organisation, but the opportunity to work together as a high performance team and contribute directly to the growth of this exciting business.

Roles an Analyst may undertake in Global Transaction Services include the following:

• Product Management and Sales : delve into the technical nuts and bolts of product management, pushing the envelope forward on new product initiatives in partnership with operations, technology, legal/compliance and the market infrastructures that we intrinsically connect with. New product development may be organic or, in some cases, non-organic, as we also grow our reach and capability through strategic alliances. Get involved in the analysis of market opportunities at the outset, and the integration of solutions with alliances forged.

• Client Delivery : client service is a key strategic differentiator for the business, and a rotation through Client Delivery gives you a practical understanding of our client touch-points, from the implementation of new deals won, through client service at the operating level of the relationship, to the consulting group that works strategically with our clients to continue improving process efficiency through re-engineering.

• Operations and Technology : a rotation through the engine room of the business will give you valuable insight into the core of our infrastructure, and the processes and service contracts in place to both deliver on 'business-as-usual' as well as participate in the design and delivery of new initiatives and capabilities.

• Functions : you might work in Finance, Risk Management, Compliance or Marketing, all of which sit at the confluence of the business. These rotations give you a lateral view of the business, the business management analytics, and how our strategies and initiatives are translated into core messages that promote our agenda externally with clients and in the industry. A functional rotation should help you bring all the pieces together, equipping you with the perspective to understand the complexities and trade-offs in steering and growing a successful franchise within Citi.

• Client Coverage : get involved with wallet-sizing client opportunity, accompany client managers on client visits and participate in the preparation of pitch presentations to clients.

Our Programmes

GTS in EMEA has two programmes you can apply for: 

• Full Time Programme

• Summer Internship 

Full Time Programme 

The Global Transaction Services (GTS) Analyst Programme is a unique experience that gives you a head start if you are contemplating a career in banking and finance within the EMEA region. The programme is structured to give you the opportunity to build both business and technical skills, as well as an invaluable set of leadership skills that will help you navigate and thrive in a fast-paced, multi-national corporate environment. 

The GTS Analyst programme commences at the end of August with a six-week training programme. The first three weeks will take place in London where your formal training begins alongside Analysts from other Business areas. This comprises of orientation and induction sessions providing an overview of Citi and specifically Citi’s Markets and Banking division. The training, which is run by external and internal trainers, includes team building, Introduction to Financial Products and Derivatives, Core Financial Skills, Fast Effective Reading and Presentation Skills, as well as Social Events which will enable you to develop your networking skills. 

You will then fly to Budapest for three weeks where you will go through intensive specific GTS training. The formal training consists of core GTS Product Training – Cash, Trade and Securities and Funds Services and product management training. If you have not covered certain topics in your past studies, their will the opportunity to take additional modules during this training. 

After the training you will start the two-year rotational programme. Once you have completed 12 months on the programme you will attend the Mid-Programme training. This includes GTS essential risk skills, Action selling, presentation skills workshop and a deeper focus on MBTI and how to use this tool effectively within a sales environment. At the end of two year programme, you will attend the graduation training, which will focus on enhancement of communication style, persuasion, negotiation skills and effective relationship building. Once completed you will attend a graduation ceremony to mark the end of your programme and your move into your new full time team. 

Summer Internship

The London office Summer Internship Programme runs for 10 weeks from the end of June.

You will start the Internship with an Induction to Citi along with 200+ Summer Analysts joining Citi Markets & Banking divisions in London. 

The initial 3-day training includes:

• a review of important processes that you should know as a new employee to Citi

• an Introduction to Global Financial Markets and Citi. This course provides the opportunity for you to identify and explain the main business areas of an investment bank, Citi’s products and services as well as engage in interactive trading simulations and portfolio management

• specific business presentations

• a team work event

 After the initial training you will then be assigned to a desk within Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities where you will be allocated a project/rotations to work on.

Throughout the summer we will continue to provide you with training and networking opportunities to help you gain an in depth knowledge of the whole of Citi. These events include a weekly Business Presentation series, networking opportunities with senior managers and various intern-wide social events. A buddy will be also allocated to you to give you an informal advice and support network over the summer with us.

During the programme, we will be evaluating you for a full time position on the Analyst Programme for the following year. We do this through:

• a mid term evaluation

• a project presentation to senior management and

• a final term review.

This is a two way process, providing you with an opportunity for you to evaluate whether this is where you want to take your career as well.

The programme may also feature additional activities such as:

• Breakfast Forums

• Lunch Forums

Who we are looking for

Going forward we see our business continuing to flourish, and the challenges and opportunities facing our clients around the world mean challenges and opportunities for our people. We are looking for people who can face these challenges and help us to continue to succeed and meet our business goals.

We are unwavering in our commitment to investing in our Analyst programmes. We ensure that they have superior financial knowledge and are equiped with the necessary skills to successfully develop and maintain profitable client relationships.

We asked our GTS recruiters to describe what makes a good candidate and what specific skills they are looking for.

We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated and have superior academic achievement in a wide variety of disciplines. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. In order to succeed, you will need to use your business awareness, analytical and relationship building skills and be self–motivated, pro-active and independent. You will thrive on change, have a capacity for incorporating ever-broader areas of knowledge and enjoy networking. Our employees work in an international environment and often have fluency in a number of languages.

Some of the key attributes of a qualified candidate are:

• Excellent academic background

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Fluent in the language of the country you are applying for and English

• Analytical skills, results orientated and innovative thinking

• Excellent team player

• Previous international experience as well as internships within this area is an advantage

• Strong willingness to relocate across Europe, Middle East and Africa throughout the 2 year rotational programme

• Good understanding of the Financial Industry

 

Recruitment Process

We open for applications on the 1st September 2007

The application deadlines are: 

Analyst Programme: Country Specific

Summer Internship Programme: 20th January 2008 

Our interview process for the full time programme will commence in November 2007, for summer internships it will commence in January 2008. 

Full Time Analyst

Below is an outline of the recruitment process from application received to offer: 

Stage 1:  Application is reviewed by Graduate Recruitment and the Business 

Stage 2:  Invited to an online Numerical Reasoning Test 

Stage 3:  Further screening by Graduate Recruitment 

Stage 4:  First round interviews:
               Two 1:1 competency based interviews,
               Numerical Reasoning Test 

Stage 5:  Assessment Centre:
               Three 1:1 competency based interviews with Managing Directors & Directors,
               Written Case Study Analysis/Presentation & Group Discussion 

Stage 6:  Offer extended by Graduate Recruitment 

Summer Internship 

Below is an outline of the recruitment process from application received to offer: 

Stage 1:  Application is reviewed by Graduate Recruitment and the Business 

Stage 2:  Invited to an online Numerical Reasoning Test 

Stage 3:  Further screening by Graduate Recruitment 

Stage 4:  Assessment Centre:
               Three 1:1 competency based interviews with Managing Directors & Directors,
               Numerical Reasoning Test,
               Written Case Study Analysis/Presentation & Group Discussion 

Stage 5: Offer extended by Graduate Recruitment

 

 

 

Where

2008 Analyst Programme

Western Europe

• UK – London and Dublin
• France – Paris
• Germany – Frankfurt
• Italy – Milan

Confederation of Independent States

• Russia – Moscow

Israel and Turkey

• Turkey – Istanbul

Poland

• Poland – Warsaw

North Africa

• Egypt – Cairo

Gulf, Levant and Pakistan

• Pakistan – Karachi
• United Arab Emirates – Dubai

Sub-Saharan Africa

• South Africa – Johannesburg

 

Our People

Chris Cook (Example: MEng, Engineering Science, Oxford) Analyst

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

Citi’s unparalleled global presence enables us to offer our clients access and intelligence on markets all over the world.

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

During my second rotation in Trade, I had regular contact with Citi representatives from all areas of the bank - credit, risk, compliance etc… in many locations including some of our key markets such as Nigeria and South Africa.

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

Communicating thoughts clearly is one of the most important skills in GTS as there are always lots of new initiatives going on, the landscape is constantly changing so as an analyst it is likely you will know more about a specific area than your manager.

How has Citi supported your career development?

Citi has provided me with many training programs both here and in other geographical locations that have really helped develop my understanding of the financial services industry.

Describe your experience in your specific training program.

The initial training involved 3 weeks in London and 3 weeks in Budapest learning about both the financial services industry and more specifically the GTS product suite. From a non-financial background I found this extremely interesting and has been of invaluable use in my day-to-day activities.

How do you see the your business group/the Firm/the industry changing in the future?

GTS is continuing to grow at record levels and shows no sign of this changing in the future. As GTS is so broad, while a changing economic landscape may affect one business area, others will thrive, especially in the light of globalization.

How did your summer internship help you make the decision to pursue a career at Citi?

My summer internship was in Financial Institutions coverage. This really gave me an oversight of all the GTS products. I thoroughly enjoyed the job and the company of the people I worked with. This really encouraged me to accept the offer.

 

Shemley Gordon Business Management (Bsc). Analyst

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

I could say that we are global, culturally diverse among other things and although this is true it is not the main thing that stands out for me. Quite simply Citi cares about its employees. You get a real sense that they want us to succeed and it is as if they are taking the journey with us.

 

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

Even though some of them have been working in the bank for over 20 years their enthusiasm equates to my own in my very first interview. I think that said it all.

 

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

The key thing for me is that ones hard work is not only acknowledged but rewarded. The company set up is such that it is impossible to go unnoticed despite the companys size. I am no longer a student but a colleague whose views are not only respected but also make a difference.

 

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

The key personal skill is the ability to interact. There are so many networking functions, client meetings and cross border communication you have no choice but to talk to people.

 

What non-work related activities do you get involved in through Citi (community, mentoring, charity)?

I am currently a member of three groups. The first is Citi Roots, which is a networking group for employees of ethnic minorities. They arrange events which celebrate different cultures in many different forms such as music, art and business. I am a member of Toast Masters, which is an organisation where members come and give impromptu and prepared speeches in front of other members who provide constructive feedback. I have also participated in volunteer days; the latest excursion was to paint a primary school in East London. Also there is nothing like playing a game of Rugby for the bank after a satisfactory day in the office.

Jonathan Jordan Dublin Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge B.Sc. Business Information Systems Analyst

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

My colleagues in Citi are focused, friendly and open but above all they are business people who want to be the best in their industry. People here are dedicated to achieving their goals and work hard to do so, but, working within the GTS business, you certainly feel part of an overall team that works as a unit and the success of GTS shows that this is working. This is an open working environment where ideas are always welcomed; innovation is very important to senior management.

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

The opportunity to work with the worlds largest corporates and financial institutions across industries and regions is, for me, one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of my career at the moment. Working closely with our clients, we can develop new solutions that lead the industry and allow Citi and our clients to expand into new markets.

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

The key assets that give Citi its competitive edge are its global coverage, its extensive range of products/services and its people. Operating in over 100 countries and providing services to each of these local markets automatically brings a vast wealth of experience into the organisation employees, clients and colleagues across Citi are a constant source of new ideas, innovation and best practice. This environment, combined with the work and travel opportunities that Citi offers, attracts the best people, which in turn fuels our competitive edge.

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

I regularly liaise with colleagues across various groups – Product, Relationship management, Legal and regional management. We work to identify new non-organic business opportunities for GTS and bring them to fruition.

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

I studied Business and Information Systems - as GTS provides many electronic platforms to our clients, my degree allowed me to grasp the role that these systems play and to liaise with our colleagues who design these systems more easily. Information Systems play a huge role in every financial institution so my degree was certainly of benefit. The Business side of my degree obviously helps in understanding the forces that drive many of our clients businesses and those of Citi.

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

I believe the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is very important within this organisation, whether it be in person, via email, phone, etc. People are busy in this organisation -meetings, emails, phone calls - but are always open to your questions. If you communicate your point or question clearly and concisely, your colleagues will appreciate this and you will get the answers or results you are seeking.

Sara Sami Bachelor of Arts Business Administration, the American University in Cairo Analyst

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

You must fully understand their capabilities, set your career path, be enthusiastic about developing your skills and knowledge, and work patiently as there is a lot to learn from your colleagues and managers. In addition, being a positive team player is fundamental in today’s business.

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

I work in a very dynamic and competitive industry. Fortunate to work in the largest financial institution worldwide, I deal with people from all over the world. The organization for which I work is distinguished by its strong culture of openness and innovation, which allow me to explore and gain knowledge of different areas in the financial sector. It also provides its employees with early responsibilities which speeds up their learning curve.

 

 

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

The most memorable experience at Citi was during my initial training, in London and Budapest.This phase was very valuable both professionally and personally. On the professional level, I started to realize the applications of what I have studied at university. Nevertheless, my financial knowledge extended to go beyond academic knowledge; as I learnt how to understand the needs of our clients in order to provide our clients with the most innovative financial services maintaining our position in the market. Personally, I realized what a wonderful place I work for, in which people gather from all over the world seeking to achieve the same goals. Definitely, my personal and communication skills tremendously evolved during that training as I worked with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

Citi’s competitive edge is that it cares for its employees as much as it cares about the business. We provide our clients with the best financial services in the market as we are continuously trained and developed to keep up with the pace of the market; Citi encourages innovation and new ideas. Also, Citi allows its employees the mobility to move in different countries and explore different paths in the financial industry.

 

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

Enthusiastic, ambitious, well educated, perfectionist, goal oriented, skilled, knowledgeable are the characteristics of the people I work with at Citi.

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

Working in GTS requires the interaction with nearly each department in the bank. In addition, I have to coordinate with different departments in other countries to get the business done. The beauty of GTS is that it allows you to expand your knowledge of all the departments in the bank locally and globally.

 

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.)?

As I am working now in the Securities Financial Services sector within GTS, I am required to keep posted with every aspect affecting the securities market in Egypt, which involves economic news, launching of new products within the stock market, and the amendment or introduction of any new law regarding the stock market.It is also crucial to know where do we stand in the market against our competitors; as we have to be the first providers of financial services within our respective area and to enhance our service to be always number one in the market.

Kar-Lyn Tan BA (Hons) Economics, Cambridge Analyst

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

Identify your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes before looking for a role. Research jobs so that you a good idea of what they involve. At the end of the day, what makes us get up for work is whether we enjoy what we are doing and the people we work with. 

 

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

I produced a fun internal video to showcase our achievements in that past year and our future goals. I assisted with the creative brief, convinced our regional offices to send in videos, worked with producers and film crews and was invovled in the editing process. The most memorable part was filming a really fun tug-of-war scene with other London employees outside the tube station whilst half of Canary Wharf looked on. 

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

GTS Marketing works closely with our partners to promote the Citi brand, create origination tools and develop client communication strategies. These partners include the Global Commercial Bank (GCB), the Financial Institutions Group (FIG), and the GTS Product teams i.e. Cash, Trade Sales and Trade Services, Securities and Fund Services. We also work with Legal, Graphics and Corporate Affairs on a regular basis.

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

Working in Marketing requires a wide range of skills. Effective verbal and written communication with colleagues and clients is the most important as we work with individuals in different teams and organisations. Additionally, good time management and the ability to multi-task is critical when juggling multiple projects and deadlines. Knowing how to use my network to assist is also key. 

Describe your experience in your specific training program.

Prior to starting, we had 3 weeks in London for some team-building exercises, financial and accounting training. After this, we had 3 more weeks in Budapest for GTS training. We trained with analysts from across the bank when in London and with GTS analysts from more than 10 EMEA regional offices when in Budapest. Training allowed us to meet colleagues from all over the bank and outside where the locations that we are based. Mid-programme training takes place after the first year and before our final 2 rotations as the EMEA GTS Programme is 2 years long.

How did your summer internship help you make the decision to pursue a career at Citi?

I completed an internship with the Foreign Subsidiaries team in Corporate Client Management (now the Global Commercial Bank) in 2005.   Over 12 weeks, I was exposed to the business, the people, and the Citi culture. The knowledge that GTS is a key business with growth potential, support from my colleagues and a well-structured analyst programme were the main reasons I decided to stay at Citi.

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

John Lennon and Tupac Shakur – just to see what happens. 

Su-Lin Watson BA University of Oxford, MA University of London Analyst

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

GTS provides global banking services that manage domestic and international cash flows in any transactional process related to Corporate and Financial Institution clients. The GTS team are engaged in the transactional process end-to-end from Product development, to Sales pitches, to client Relationship Management. The business is composed of Cash, Trade, Funds and Securities.

 

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

Hard working, professional, experienced and encouraging. As an Analyst, my senior colleagues are continually supportive and full of advice.

 

 

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

Definitely its global presence and extensive knowledge of local markets. Citi fosters a diverse multicultural environment composed of experienced and talented colleagues. In addition Citi’s emphasis on meritocracy, team-work and shared responsibility, provides for a dedicated employee base who work hard not just for themselves but also for common goals.

 

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

Global Relationship Bank, Operations, Credit, Risk Management, Financial Controlling. The Markets and Banking Analyst training was another great networking opportunity, as combined analysts from Equities Sales and Trading, Equity Research, Fixed Income, Global Relationship Bank and Global Portfolio Management.

 

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

Studying Modern History at Oxford taught me to be analytical, open minded, proactive and creative. At Oxford you are continually challenged which encourages you to think on your feet and be reactive to ideas and opinions, attributes that are crucial for working in a competitive banking atmosphere. In addition, a Masters degree in Economics and Mandarin has been an invaluable foundation for a career in banking, especially considering the current economic climate and emphasis on Emerging Markets and China.

 

Describe your experience in your specific training program.

The seven week training programme was excellent. It taught us a variety of fundamental business skills and gave us an important overview to different areas within Markets and Banking. The GTS specific training was a excellent comprehensive introduction to our rotation programme.

 

What is the most interesting fact about yourself?

I was brought up in Singapore, studied in the UK, worked in Frankfurt, and am now relocating to New York.