Exit of consumer banking operations and merger with UnionBank
In April 2021, Citigroup announced it would exit its consumer and retail banking operations in 13 markets, including Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. However, Citibank Philippines continued its operations until the sale of the bank to the new local owners.[2][3]
On December 23, 2021, Citigroup announced that Citigroup sold the company's consumer and retail banking business in the Philippines to Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) for ₱ 55 billion, with the latter as the surviving entity of the said merger. The transaction included the bank’s credit card, personal loans, wealth management, and retail deposit businesses. The acquisition also included the bank’s real estate assets in Citibank Square in Eastwood, Quezon City, Metro Manila as well as three full service Citibank Philippines branches, five wealth centers and two bank branch lites. The deal also means UnionBank would absorb approximately Citibank Philippines' 1,750 local employees, including those in senior management roles, the deal is expected to close in the second half of 2022.[4]