Citigroup Inc.

Going that bit further

“Citi is a very competitive environment and fits for people who are willing to go the extra mile,” says an insider when asked to describe the firm. The “corporate culture is one of meritocracy, with top performers being rewarded for their hard work and excellent output.” As one insider puts it, the bank is best described by its own slogan: “Let’s get it done.” The environment is also “open and young,” and “significant responsibility is given to fresh graduates,” who also benefit from “lots of avenues for training and knowledge sharing.”

Insiders don’t, however, hide the fact that “Citi is known for its aggressive culture,” and claim that it is “clearly visible on all fronts.” One source remarks, “Deadlines are tough, and a lot of emphasis is on meeting them. Working at Citi normally means a lot of responsibilities with huge expectations, although senior management is very supportive and a lot of guidance is always available.” Other sources say there is “always room for growth,” and “people are very professional and hardworking” at this “aggressive, dynamic and vociferous bank.”

Friendly perks

Employees in Citi’s Asian offices say they're given a “two-month bonus, plus a performance bonus,” in addition to “15 days of annual leave, 20 days of personal leave and 30 days of sick leave.” New mothers are also given “60 days of maternity leave.” “Very good health insurance coverage” which “now includes dental insurance” is also available in some regions, “with offers for family members.”

Other perks offered by Citi include “late night work reimbursement for travel and meals, as well as an allowance for gas.” However, insiders feel the salary package is a bit uneven compared to the global scale. “In countries like India, China and Indonesia, it is lower than the market average,” says one source, with another stating bluntly, “Our counterparts abroad have higher salaries.” The firm notes that it offers competitive packages versus the local scale, particularly in China and India, and that packages are relative to the local cost of living.