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Heritage
A Heritage of Enabling Growth and Economic Progress
With more than 210 years of experience making a positive financial and social impact, we are proud of our past contributions and excited about our future. We invite you to explore Citi’s key historical milestones from 1812 through today.
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1800-1819
1800-1819
Our beginnings
1812
A new bank born in New York
In 1811, a group of merchants takes the first steps towards setting up a new bank to help New York compete with rivals Philadelphia, Boston, and BaltimoreRead More
1812
Bank wins depository status
City Bank is rewarded for helping finance the U.S. government's effort in the War of 1812 against BritainRead More
1820-1859
1820-1859
Picking up steam in New York
1824
Quaker mariners at the helm
Quaker merchant Isaac Wright, a one-time board director and bank president, was a leading importer of British textiles. He founded the Black Ball Shipping Line.Read More
1841
City Bank, provider of liquidity
City Bank, the eighth-oldest bank in New York, and thus designated no. 8 in the clearing house, was well placed to shield clients during panics.Read More
1860-1899
1860-1899
Early expansion
1865
A banker’s bank: National charter and expansion of services
In July 1865, City Bank converted its state charter to a national one, taking on the new name of National City Bank of New York.Read More
1866
Transatlantic Cable
Moses Taylor was one of the original investors in the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Co., founded in 1854 by Cyrus West Field, a successful young businessman who is credited with laying the first transatlantic cable. Read More
1893
National City Bank forges investment bank alliance
A railroad refinancing opens up new strategic opportunitiesRead More
1897
New forex department for clients with operations abroad
Foreign business requires a new kind of service; correspondent links forged overseasRead More
1900-1919
1900-1919
Heading abroad
1902
IBC pioneers trade finance in Asia
A Connecticut state-chartered bank caters to companies doing business in the Far EastRead More
1904
New opening in Panama
On August 17, 1904, at the U.S. government's request, IBC opened a branch in Panama City, followed two years later by one in Colón, on the Atlantic side of the young country. Read More
1911
Bonds go to the masses
The National City Company, an affiliate of the bank, breaks the stereotype and adopts modern methods in the sale of bondsRead More
1914
Business blooms in Latin America
National City Bank's first big push overseas reflects the growth in international trade as war breaks out in continental EuropeRead More
1920-1945
1920-1945
Expanding the branch network and meeting challenges
1921
The New York branch network expands
Through mergers, National City Bank acquires a number of branches and builds more, becoming a force in retail bankingRead More
1933
Banking in the Great Depression
The reassuring style of National City Bank's new chairman, James Perkins, suits the uncertain mood of the timesRead More
1939
War returns to Europe
The early stages of World War II pose challenges for Citibankers in Paris and London, as they face invasion and aerial bombardmentRead More
1941
Women fill gap
By the end of 1942, women accounted for 43 percent of the bank's workforce of almost 10,000, up from 23 percent at the end of 1940.Read More
1946-1959
1946-1959
A pioneer of the changing times
1948
Landmarks in transportation finance
Innovative thinking within the bank contributes to a revolution in the shipping industry, and is applied to big projects in other sectorsRead More
1948
Bank supports Marshall Plan
For three years immediately after the end of World War II, National City Bank operations in Europe were confined to two branches in London.Read More
1955
Focus on Middle East and Africa
In the mid-1950s, looking to the future, the bank extends its operations beyond Europe and Asia to new areas of economic promiseRead More
1960-1979
1960-1979
Evolving with the modern world
1961
Negotiable certificates of deposit
Riding the "wave of the future," First National City Bank becomes the leading bank in the New York metropolitan area, and top bank overseasRead More
1977
Focus shifts to retail banking
The business is transformed as consumer banking becomes a priority, and the ATM delivers 24-hour serviceRead More
1980-2011
1980-2011
A time of transformation
1982
Citigold: spreading affluence
The Citigold service was inaugurated in Hong Kong in 1982.Read More
1982
Sowing the seeds for a modern private bank
Citi's private banking roots date back to the 1820s when a predecessor company of today's Citi Trust started managing the accounts of wealthy British and other European families domiciled in the United States. Read More
1998
Momentous encounter leads to merger
The leaders of two of the United States' financial services giants see the potential in a strategic merger, and Citigroup is bornRead More
2007
Amid economic turmoil, Citi recapitalizes
As crisis hits the financial world, the U.S. government backs CitiRead More
2012-2023
2012-2023
Our company today
2012
200 Years Citi
In 2012, Citi celebrated our 200th anniversary, which provided an opportunity to reflect on two centuries of enabling progress. Read More
2013
Citi Bike
Citi Bike Launches, Setting Standard for U.S. Bike-Share ProgramsRead More
2014
Pathways to Progress
Jump-Starting Career Readiness for Half a Million Young PeopleRead More
2014
Sustainable progress
$100 Billion Environmental Finance GoalRead More
2018
International Paralympic Committee
Sponsoring Strength, Perseverance and Determination Through the International Paralympic CommitteeRead More
2021
First female Wall Street CEO
On March 1, 2021, Jane Fraser became Citi’s Chief Executive Officer and the first woman to lead a major U.S. bank.Read More
