Citi Accelerates FX Expansion in Asia
Citi has intensified its push to reinforce its foreign exchange franchise across Japan, Asia North and Australia, and Asia South, adding seven senior professionals to its FX sales and trading teams since September.
The moves position Citi to capture rising regional FX flows and deepen relationships with corporate, institutional, and public-sector clients, according to a note issued on Wednesday.
Corporate FX Expansion Gains Momentum
Citi has strengthened its Corporate FX Sales presence with the appointment of Manoj Goel as Head of Corporate FX Sales for the India sub-continent. Reporting to Vandana Bhatter and Aditya Bagree, Goel brings 23 years of experience and a track record of leading some of the largest cross-border FX transactions in India.
He previously headed Global Markets Corporate Sales at HSBC and holds an Electronics Engineering degree from BITS Pilani and an MBA from IIM Calcutta, where he was a silver medalist.
Singapore Strengthens Corridor-Driven FX Capabilities
Cassalynne Lou has returned to Citi to join the Singapore Corporate FX Sales team, reporting to Galvin Phua.
With more than seven years in FX sales across New York, Singapore, and Barclays, Lou will focus on expanding the Citi Commercial Bank North Asia–Singapore FX corridor and strengthening advisory capabilities for corporate clients.
Institutional FX Team Deepens Expertise
On the institutional side, Citi has hired Yusuke Aita as a Director in Tokyo.
Reporting to Anand Goyal, Aita adds 17 years of diversified FX trading and sales experience at Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan, Bank of Tokyo–Mitsubishi UFJ, and most recently BNP Paribas, where he covered hedge funds and institutional clients.
Hong Kong Adds Emerging-Markets FX Strength
Citi has also bolstered its Hong Kong institutional FX coverage with the appointment of Renee Gao as Director. Reporting to Chen Ni, Gao joins from HSBC, where she specialized in emerging-markets fixed income and FX products.
She began her career at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and Sydney, focusing on FX solutions for institutional clients.
Singapore Expands Regional Bank and Real-Money Coverage
Matthew Lim has joined Citi’s institutional FX sales team in Singapore as Vice President, reporting to Timothy Young. Lim previously worked at UBS and Credit Agricole, covering banks, private banks, and central banks.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics from Pennsylvania State University.
FX Trading Bench Strengthened With Senior Options Talent
In FX trading, Citi has appointed Nicky Lam as Director in its G10 FX Options trading team in Singapore. Reporting to Akshay Saxena, Lam brings two decades of experience across Singapore, London, and Hong Kong.
He previously led G10 options for APAC at both Nomura and Goldman Sachs, and earlier served at the Royal Bank of Scotland.
SGD and EM Trading Capabilities Enhanced
Jonathan Chua has joined Citi’s FX Trading desk in Singapore as an SGD and short-term interest rate trader, reporting to Dany Checrallah.
Chua brings more than ten years of experience in SGD and emerging-market currencies from Wells Fargo, NatWest Markets, and Maybank.
He began his career at Citi in G10 spot trading and holds degrees from the University of Exeter and INSEAD.
Strategic Hires Align With Strong Market Performance
The hiring momentum accompanies robust performance in Citi’s Markets business. In the third quarter of 2025, Markets revenues reached $5.6 billion, an increase of 15 percent.
Fixed income revenues rose 12 percent to $4.0 billion, supported by a fifteen percent jump in rates and currencies and an eight percent rise in spread products and other fixed income.
Elevated client activity in rates and stronger mortgage trading contributed to the gains.
Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to Regional FX Growth
«These appointments underscore our steadfast commitment to strengthening and maintaining our leadership position in these markets. They also reaffirm our deep dedication to our valued corporate and institutional clients, as well as our continued investment in the growth of our business,» said Nathan Swami, Head of FX Trading in Japan, Asia North and Australia and Asia South.
