Citibank 2011 Annual Report Download - page 13

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continue to act as drags on our trading value. Some of our
peers were buoyed by the ability to buy back shares, an option
we lacked. In the final analysis, the value that we all want to
see reflected in our share price will be most apparent when we
can meaningfully return capital to shareholders. That remains
one of our overriding objectives.
Looking Ahead
In a turbulent world, many things have not changed.
Globalization, digitization, urbanization and the rise of the
emerging market consumer still are the defining trends of our
time. Citi is well-positioned to seize the opportunities those
trends present. We are in the right businesses and in the right
countries and regions — where the growth is. Our strategy in
a nutshell is to position our bank to seize these trends for our
clients’ benefit, remain committed to Responsible Finance
and the basics of banking, and serve the real economy, not
ourselves. Our focus is all on execution — executing our broad
strategy and also the specific priorities I’ve identified. In fact,
the two are inseparable.
We’re focused on the years and decades ahead. Environmental
and regulatory factors could arise that require us to change
how we execute our strategy. But the strategy itself is right
for us and right for the times. It builds on the great legacy left
to us by Walter Wriston, updated for the changing times and
current environment. It’s what built this bank into a global
powerhouse, and it will serve us well in the coming years and
decades. The short-term outlook for many economies remains
cloudy. But for the long term, we’ve positioned our company
to seize and capitalize on the trends that we believe will define
the global economy.
Sincerely,
Vikram S. Pandit
Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup Inc.
Citi Celebrates Sponsorship of 2012 U.S. Olympic
and Paralympic Teams
This past July, to mark the year-out milestone to the London
2012 Olympic Games, Citi, an official sponsor of the 2012
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the U.S. Olympic
Committee (USOC), held a ceremonial Citi Team USA flag-
raising event outside the Citibank Financial Center at its
headquarters in New York City. Olympic silver medalist Alicia
Sacramone (gymnastics), Olympic gold medalist Susan Francia
(rowing) and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Jeremy
Campbell (discus, pentathlon) joined Vikram Pandit and
employees to kick off the one-year countdown.
“Observing this important milestone on the Olympic
calendar with inspiring athletes was a great way to celebrate
our sponsorship of Team USA,” said Mr. Pandit. “Helping
America’s athletes fulfill their Olympic dreams is one way to
demonstrate our support for the athletes and our country,
reinforcing the commitment to excellence we share. In 2012,
our 200th anniversary, we will be proud to stand with our
nation’s Olympians and Paralympians as they take the best of
the American spirit to London.”
At the event, the athletes spoke with employees about their
experiences at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic
Games and shared their journeys as Olympic and Paralympic
hopefuls as they compete to represent the U.S. at the London
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As America’s global
bank for nearly 200 years, Citi’s mission of helping individuals,
businesses, institutions and nations succeed in the global
marketplace complements the USOC’s mission of supporting
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained
competitive excellence and thereby inspiring all Americans.