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Citigroup Unveils Plans to Take Its Mexican Offshoot Banamex Public
American multinational investment banking giant Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) has revealed its plans to pursue an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for its Mexico business, Banamex. The bank intends to separate Banamex from its operations and offer shares of Banamex to the public for the first time.
According to the announcement, Banamex, as a separate entity from Citigroup, will retain various business lines and services. These include credit cards, retail banking, consumer loans, residential mortgage lending, insurance, deposits, and a full suite of commercial banking products.
Additionally, the business will be reported as part of Citi’s ongoing operations until ownership falls below a 50% voting stake, at which point it will no longer be consolidated. Meanwhile, the bank first announced its intention to depart the Mexico Consumer business, which operates about 1,300 branches with more than 12 million retail clients, and about 10 million pension fund customers in 2022.
Citigroup said it expects the separation to be completed in the second half of 2024, with a public offering expected in 2025. Although the bank has not yet decided on a listing destination, a source familiar with the plan revealed that a dual listing in the US and Mexico could be possible.
By conducting an IPO for Banamex, Citigroup aims to establish Banamex as an independent entity. This will allow Banamex to operate autonomously with its own shareholders and potentially its own management team, focusing on the Mexican market.
Interestingly, Citigroup has invested a substantial amount worth $2.5 billion specifically to enhance Banamex’s digital and mobile banking capabilities. This investment indicates Citigroup’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve the banking experience and meet the evolving needs of its customers in an increasingly digital era.
The Citigroup and Banamex IPO: The Goal
The IPO process would involve offering shares of Banamex to the public, allowing outside investors to purchase those shares and become partial owners of Banamex. The proceeds from the IPO would provide Banamex with additional capital to support its growth, expansion, and operational needs.
The Chief Financial Officer of Citigroup Mark Mason stated that the bank’s decision would allow Citigroup to focus on its core operations while potentially unlocking value for shareholders through the IPO. Additionally, Mason highlighted that the spinoff would enable Citigroup to resume a modest level of share buybacks in the current quarter.
Notably, share buybacks are a process through which a corporation repurchases its own shares from the market, which can benefit shareholders by increasing the value of the remaining shares. Many companies including Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) are known to have a robust share buyback program.
However, Mason’s statement also acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding regulatory capital requirements, noting that the firm “…will continue to evaluate share buybacks quarterly, taking into account regulatory issues as well as any modifications or updates that may arise.”
Citigroup Unveils Plans to Take Its Mexican Offshoot Banamex Public
