Citi Strengthens Korean Franchise With Former UBS Executive
US-banking giant Citi has appointed a seasoned banker as head of market sales for Korea, effective 9 December, signaling a sharpened focus on client growth and cross-business collaboration in one of Asia’s most competitive financial markets.
Based in Seoul and reporting to Cecile Gambardella and David Um, Soonwook Kwon will lead the integration and execution of Citi’s sales strategy across financial institutions and corporate clients.
The bank announced the appointment on Monday as a move designed to «bring a unified approach to client engagement and value creation», reinforcing the importance of coordination across markets, services, and banking & international businesses.
Driving Synergies Across Markets Platforms
Citi expects the new structure to unlock stronger synergies and deepen client impact by leveraging specialized expertise across product lines. The bank emphasized that aligning teams more closely will support the delivery of solutions that meet Korea’s evolving risk management and financing needs.
Kwon joins with more than two decades of experience in financial markets, most recently serving as managing director and branch manager for UBS and Credit Suisse in Seoul. He has built a strong track record in structured products, interest rate derivatives, FX, and balance sheet optimization. Citi highlighted his «instrumental» leadership in executing sophisticated transactions and de-risking portfolios for major institutional clients.
Positioning for Growth in a Competitive Landscape
As global banks compete for wallet share in Korea’s resilient financial sector, Citi’s hire underscores its ambition to solidify its markets business while navigating macroeconomic shifts, regulatory change, and heightened client demand for tailored hedging and capital solutions.
The appointment of Kwon reflects a strategic push to accelerate growth and reinforce Citi’s standing among leading international banks in the country.
