Alpha Bank takes over Citi's retail

Citi has signed an agreement with Alpha Bank to sell its consumer banking business in Greece along with its Diners Club of Greece SA credit card operations. The sale includes approximately $600 million in GAAP assets, 480,000 customers, $1.4 billion in deposits and $540 million in customer receivables (cards & loans).

Approximately 730 consumer banking employees and the Citi branch and ATM network in Greece will transfer to Alpha Bank. The sale, which is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.

Citi intends to focus on expanding the services it offers to Greek corporations, financial institutions, shipping, private bank and public sector clients as well as continuing to service its multi-national clients with operations in Greece.

The sale represents another step in Citi’s strategy of winding down Citi Holdings by divesting non-core operating businesses and assets portfolios in an economically rational manner.