Continuing with its efforts to enhance risk management, Citigroup C will cut about 3,500 jobs at two of its technology centers in China by the start of the fourth quarter of 2025. The reduction will take place at the China Citi Solution Centres in Shanghai and Dalian.

A source familiar with the matter said that most of the jobs that are being cut are full-time. Citigroup mentioned that some of the roles would be moved to its technology centers elsewhere without specifying the number of jobs or locations.

The move is part of the bank’s strategy to simplify and reduce its global technology operations to improve data management.

Last month, it was reported that the bank was planning to cut up to 200 information technology (IT) contractor jobs in China.

Reason Behind Citigroup’s China Workforce Reduction

In July 2024, C was fined $136 million by U.S. regulators for failing to make adequate progress in resolving data management issues.

A few weeks back, about 100 IT staff at Citigroup Services and Technology China, Citigroup's wholly owned Shanghai subsidiary, were told that their contracts would not be renewed, and another 100 were likely to receive layoff notices, per people familiar with the matter.

The workers were part of Citigroup Services and Technology China, founded in 2002, which supports the bank's business in 20 countries and regions, including the United States, the U.K., and Hong Kong.

Thus, the IT restructuring plan highlights Citigroup's intent to address regulatory requirements while simplifying its internal processes.

C’s Ongoing Business Overhaul to Improve Efficiency

Citigroup is undergoing a major organizational overhaul, which includes 20,000 job cuts globally by 2026. The restructuring aims to simplify governance, reduce management layers and enhance profitability. The move aligns with Citigroup’s broader goal of improving operational efficiency, with expected annualized run rate savings of $2-2.5 billion by 2026.

Apart from this organizational realignment, Citigroup has been emphasizing growth in core businesses by shrinking international operations.

In sync with this, in April 2021, C announced plans to exit the consumer banking business in 14 markets across Asia and EMEA. The freed-up capital is likely to be reallocated to higher-return segments like wealth management and investment banking.

Last month, Citigroup, through its subsidiary Citibank Europe Plc, announced that Citi Handlowy agreed to sell its consumer banking business in Poland. The company has already successfully exited consumer banking businesses in nine countries — Australia, Bahrain, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Also, C continues to make progress with the wind-downs of its Korea consumer banking operations and its overall operations in Russia. It is also preparing for an initial public offering of its consumer banking and small business, as well as middle-market banking operations in Mexico.