This file contains a description of a current Citi employee and description of the employee experience through a set of questions and answers. I guess that I could point to almost anything in the room that was imported and explain how Citi helps one company overseas to produce it and another company in the U.S. to import it for sale domestically. There is a whole “unseen” world of banking transactions that support the $17 trillion in annual world trade flows.

]]> Competing with the other banks in our line of business—whether it’s for a new client, a new hire, or the first to market with a new service. It’s quite a thrill to win a multi-million dollar RFP going against your industry peers.

]]> In my particular business, Trade Services and Finance, it is clearly our global presence and risk appetite. Few other banks can match our operational capabilities across 113 cities in 72 countries combined with a willingness to bank the Fortune 1000, multinationals, top tier local corporates, and small and medium size enterprises around the world. This enables Citi to cover all sides of a transaction, delivering end-to-end service, and explains why we are a leader in helping companies to finance their global supply chains.

]]> We have an interesting variety of people—men and women, many nationalities, some young and some older, some exclusively Citibankers, and some “imported” from other banks and corporations. It is a quite a mix and provides a wide knowledge base to support our clients. We look to our analysts and associates for their energy and enthusiasm and to help keep things lively.

]]> My role is global—supporting other Trade product managers, financial institution relationship managers, Trade sales specialists, and customer service and administrative units around the world. So it is not unusual to be dealing with a dozen different countries on any given day. I liaise not only with my colleagues in Trade, but also members of the GTS Cash team as we work on joint USD RFPs and exchange sales leads.

]]> Communication skills are very important—especially the ability to write well, whether for an RFP response, a marketing slip sheet, an article in a trade journal, or a presentation. Equally important is perseverance when you are trying to create a product or solve a problem with global implications. Many different people have to be brought into the equation, and the process can be less than smooth, but I have also found that the end result of merging so many different opinions is often a thorough, comprehensive solution.

]]> Gardening and cycling. My wife complains that I also watch too much TV, but I’m addicted to Lost. We got tired of fighting the weekend traffic to the Jersey shore and purchased a country home in Delaware County, New York that dates back to the 1880’s. Restoring it has been a lot of fun. Probably the hardest physical thing I ever did was “The Longest Ride” where you bike from High Point to Cape May, New Jersey in a single day—210 miles!

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Name: John Ladany

Title: Director

Education: BS Duke, MBA Virginia

Program: Global Transaction Services

Level: associate

Region: North America

If asked about your career at a dinner party, how would you describe it?: I guess that I could point to almost anything in the room that was imported and explain how Citi helps one company overseas to produce it and another company in the U.S. to import it for sale domestically. There is a whole “unseen” world of banking transactions that support the $17 trillion in annual world trade flows.
What about your career excites you the most - gets you out of bed in the morning?: Competing with the other banks in our line of business—whether it’s for a new client, a new hire, or the first to market with a new service. It’s quite a thrill to win a multi-million dollar RFP going against your industry peers.
What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?: In my particular business, Trade Services and Finance, it is clearly our global presence and risk appetite. Few other banks can match our operational capabilities across 113 cities in 72 countries combined with a willingness to bank the Fortune 1000, multinationals, top tier local corporates, and small and medium size enterprises around the world. This enables Citi to cover all sides of a transaction, delivering end-to-end service, and explains why we are a leader in helping companies to finance their global supply chains.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?: We have an interesting variety of people—men and women, many nationalities, some young and some older, some exclusively Citibankers, and some “imported” from other banks and corporations. It is a quite a mix and provides a wide knowledge base to support our clients. We look to our analysts and associates for their energy and enthusiasm and to help keep things lively.
What other groups do you liaise with regularly within the Firm?: My role is global—supporting other Trade product managers, financial institution relationship managers, Trade sales specialists, and customer service and administrative units around the world. So it is not unusual to be dealing with a dozen different countries on any given day. I liaise not only with my colleagues in Trade, but also members of the GTS Cash team as we work on joint USD RFPs and exchange sales leads.
What skills have you found to be the most useful in your position?: Communication skills are very important—especially the ability to write well, whether for an RFP response, a marketing slip sheet, an article in a trade journal, or a presentation. Equally important is perseverance when you are trying to create a product or solve a problem with global implications. Many different people have to be brought into the equation, and the process can be less than smooth, but I have also found that the end result of merging so many different opinions is often a thorough, comprehensive solution.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?: Gardening and cycling. My wife complains that I also watch too much TV, but I’m addicted to Lost. We got tired of fighting the weekend traffic to the Jersey shore and purchased a country home in Delaware County, New York that dates back to the 1880’s. Restoring it has been a lot of fun. Probably the hardest physical thing I ever did was “The Longest Ride” where you bike from High Point to Cape May, New Jersey in a single day—210 miles!

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