Citi Intends to Purchase Deutsche Bank's Mexican License

Citigroup Inc said on Tuesday it would purchase Deutsche Bank's Mexican license in order to continue its corporate and investment banking operation in the country, following the planned sale of its local retail unit.

Financial details were not disclosed.

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​"The acquisition of this license, which is subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, facilitates the pursuit of our consumer exit and ability to continue our institutional operations in Mexico," Citi said in a statement.

Citi Chief Executive Jane Fraser announced the Mexican retail unit was up for sale at the beginning of the year, and a buyer is expected to be named by the end of 2022 or beginning of 2023.

Mexican corporate titans Carlos Slim and German Larrea are the top bidders for the unit, valued anywhere between $7 billion and $12 billion.

The purchase of Deutsche Bank's license allows Citi to sidestep the lengthy process of independently applying for its own, once the split is complete.

The retail operation will become known as Banco Nacional de Mexico, or Banamex, while the wholesale unit will be called Citi Mexico, Citi's country chief said in September.

(Source: Reuters)