Growth strategies

One year after CEO Jane Fraser launched a business revamp, Citigroup reported lower revenue, higher expenses and a big reserve for loan losses in Russia. Yet the company’s long-term plan to streamline operations and invest in high-performing businesses — all with an aim to strengthen shareholder returns — still appears on track.

Citigroup agreed to sell its consumer banking operations in Bahrain to Ahli United Bank BSC as part of the lender’s continued push to simplify.

In his annual letter to shareholders, the JPMorgan Chase CEO wrote that although the U.S. economy remains strong, “we should prepare for the potential negative outcomes.” He also provided more detail about the megabank’s big spending plans.

Barclays is developing a global private credit strategy, according to several people familiar with the situation, seeking to take part in the fast-growing $1.2 trillion asset class.

Citigroup agreed to sell its India retail banking business for about 123 billion rupees ($1.6 billion) cash to Axis Bank, as the U.S. lender seeks to consolidate its operations in identified markets.

Citizens Financial Group is mulling the acquisition of a wealth manager or even a lender in Florida following a deal spree by the bank last year, CEO Bruce Van Saun said.

Seven of the 10 largest merger agreements since 2012 have been struck in the last year and a half. Here's a look at how they stack up against each other.

The Vernon Hill-led bank is being buffeted by a board rebellion, a lawsuit and a burgeoning proxy fight all tied to the complaints of two investor groups that say their returns are subpar if not in the negative.

In a survey last month, only one in 10 chief executives identified mergers as their top priority, while 77% pointed to organic growth. The sparse interest in dealmaking may be due to volatile markets, along with slower approvals from regulators.

CEO Nitin Mhatre, who joined the Massachusetts bank in 2021, said that any M&A deal is at least a year away. For now, the bank is working with fintechs as a way to bolster its balance sheet and deliver exceptional customer experiences.