Citi to exit consumer banking in Mexico

AFP, New York

Citi announced Tuesday it will exit its Mexican consumer banking business, the latest reorganization effort to steer the US financial heavyweight towards higher-return ventures.

The bank plans to cease operations in Mexico in consumer, small business and middle-market customers, but will maintain an institutional client business in the country.

Chief Executive Jane Fraser said the move was consistent with a  "strategy refresh" that included earlier moves to pare back consumer banking in other overseas markets.

"Citi is uniquely positioned to support cross-border capital markets activity and trade flows in and out of Mexico for our institutional clients," Fraser said.