was there when Citibank kicked off its commercial bank operations in Singapore in 2000. Twenty-four years later, Koh — who is now Head of Mid-Corporates and Technology and Digital client segment for CCB in the Lion City — is looking not just to scale up Citi’s market share in the commercial banking space and cement its position as a leading global bank in this segment but is also encourage more diversity and support for women bankers.
Koh, who is also the co-chair of the Citi Women Singapore Network , noted that the banking industry still has a long way to go before it can see equal representation, particularly in senior levels. Promoting diversity and gender equality does not just involve empowering women; it is also necessary to engage the men working in the industry.
The Citi Women Singapore network is one of the women-centric networks the bank has established in Asia. It is a community for female employees that encourages sharing and provides insights into the experience and challenges women face while working at the bank. How did your work in Citi expand your viewpoint both as a leader and as a professional in the finance industry?
Beginning in January 2020, Citi expanded the standard for a diverse slate of candidates from Managing Director and Director-level hires to also include the Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Senior Vice President levels. Citi also invests in career development and builds a pipeline of diverse talent through mentorship, networking, rotational programs and partnerships.