Providing a complete range of services and a robust securities-services infrastructure, Citi Latin America operates the most extensive custody franchise in the region, with a presence in seven countries. Significant operational synergies exist through Citi’s custody system in these markets, providing service consistency throughout the post-trade lifecycle. The platform can be customized based on country-specific requirements, including the processing of trades, settlement confirmations, and trade recordkeeping.
The bank’s Latin American business is part of Citi’s vast network, which offers institutional investors access to 63 global markets. This provides competitive advantages when retaining clients and sourcing new custody mandates within the region.
Citi is also instrumental in shaping the sector in Latin America through collaboration with regulators, central securities depositories (CSDs), and trade associations. The T+1 transition is one of the most significant industry developments in the region. Argentina and Mexico implemented this shift in 2024; while Chile, Colombia, and Peru are targeting 2027.
Our country winner in Argentina, Mexico, Panama, and Peru, Citi is instrumental in facilitating infrastructure and process improvements within the sector. Citibank Argentina is working with regulators to improve the level of proxy voting by moving to electronic channels; and clients increasingly entrust Citi to handle their proxy voting, as corporate actions processed by Citi rose significantly in 2024. At the same time, Citi Mexico has enhanced its prematching functionality for greater trade transparency and efficiency. Citibank Panama has provided guidance to regulators on advancing the sector with the launch of a new core system for the local CSDs. Citibank del Peru is a leading participant in the nuam project by serving on working groups to assist with this integration and establishing a central counterparty for the exchange.
Methodology
In selecting the institutions that reliably provide the best services in these local markets and regions, Global Finance’s editorial board considered market research, input from expert sources, and entry information from the banks themselves. The criteria included such factors as customer relations, quality of service, technology platforms, and post-settlement operations, as well as knowledge of local markets, regulations, and practices.
