More Asian clients registering for digital banking services

HONG KONG – Citibank says it now has 7.4 million clients across 14 markets in Asia who have signed up for digital banking services, including online, mobile phones and other digital channels. “Consumer preferences are changing and a generational shift in behaviour is driving consumers to new digital channels,” says Jonathan Larsen, Head of Consumer Banking for Citi in Asia Pacific.

Citi has been investing heavily in technology to support expansion of its consumer-banking business in the region. At the end of 2013 it partnered with 3 Hong Kong to launch a mobile banking wallet in Hong Kong.

New Citibank "smart-banking" branches include interactive touch panels, video-conferencing capabilities and full-service banking from devices such as iPhones and iPads. These were first launched in Japan in 2009, and since have been rolled out across the world, with more than 100 in Asia. The bank last year launched its next generation ATM in Southeast Asia, Citibank Express, which offers all services available in a branch. www.citi.com (ATI).