Citi plans to expand its institutional banking business in India, citing strong corporate balance sheets, rising financing requirements and growing opportunities linked to the country's increasing integration with the global economy. The bank's leadership said it remains highly optimistic about the prospects for serving large Indian companies across a range of financial services.

Citi India CEO and Banking Head K. Balasubramanian said the lender is "super focused" on its institutional business and is well-positioned to support clients in areas such as working capital management, digitisation initiatives and trade finance. He noted that the bank sees significant growth potential among Indian institutional clients as businesses continue to scale operations and pursue international expansion.

Highlighting Citi's global footprint, Balasubramanian said the bank's presence in 95 countries provides a distinct advantage in helping Indian companies manage cross-border operations and access international markets. He added that Citi intends to "double down" on investments in its India institutional franchise, which primarily caters to companies with annual turnover exceeding $100 million.

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Despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia and continued volatility in global markets, Balasubramanian said Citi's corporate portfolio remains resilient. According to him, the bank has not observed any signs of stress among its clients as a result of the regional conflict. He also stated that corporate balance sheets remain healthy and that no particular client segment is currently showing signs of deterioration.

The comments come at a time when rising oil prices and global uncertainty have raised concerns about the potential impact on Indian businesses, particularly those exposed to imports, energy costs and international supply chains. Balasubramanian also called for greater progress on foreign institutional investor taxation, saying additional clarity could benefit market participants. On monetary policy, he said he expects the Reserve Bank of India to maintain benchmark interest rates at current levels during its upcoming policy review.

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