Citi has announced the appointment of Lee Lung Nien as its new Country Officer and Banking Head for Singapore, a move that underscores the bank’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team in one of its key markets, according to The Edge.
Lee, a Citi veteran with more than three decades of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership expertise to the role. Over the course of his career, he has held several senior positions across the region, giving him deep insight into the bank’s operations, client needs, and regulatory environment.
Since 2020, Lee has served as Chairman of Citi Private Bank for South Asia, where he focused on enhancing client engagement and expanding wealth management offerings. Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Berhad in Malaysia from 2014 to 2020, overseeing all aspects of the franchise’s growth strategy, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.
In his new role, Lee will be responsible for managing Citi’s entire business in Singapore. His mandate includes driving overall franchise performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, strengthening risk management practices, and deepening the bank’s relationships with institutional, corporate, and retail clients. The appointment is particularly significant as Lee becomes the first Singaporean in nearly 50 years to hold Citi’s most senior leadership position in the country.
Lee succeeds Tibor Pandi, who has spent eight years in Asia and led Citi’s Singapore operations for the past two and a half years. Pandi will be taking on another role within the bank, and Citi has emphasised that the leadership transition will be conducted smoothly to ensure business continuity.
Reporting directly to Amol Gupte, Citi’s Head of Asia South, Lee will also join the Asia South management team effective 6 October. His extensive experience working across multiple markets in the region is expected to support Citi’s broader strategic priorities in Asia, particularly as the bank continues to streamline its global operations and focus on growth opportunities in key hubs such as Singapore.
Industry observers view the appointment as a signal of Citi’s commitment to continuity and regional expertise. Lee’s track record of leading complex franchises and delivering growth while upholding strong governance standards is expected to provide stability and momentum for Citi’s Singapore operations.
Citi said Lee’s appointment reflects the group’s long-standing focus on developing leaders who combine global experience with deep local knowledge, ensuring that its franchises remain well-positioned to capture opportunities in fast-evolving markets.
