MONEY MASTER

  Key Insights : Increased Client Activity : Citi reports  double-digit growth  in client activity across  ASEAN trade corridors , reflecting heightened interest in the region. Appealing Attributes of Southeast Asia : The region's  stability ,  strategic geographic location , and  talent pool  make it an ideal destination for businesses diversifying supply chains. Multinationals are driven by the need to mitigate risks amid  global geopolitical tensions , Citi's  Jason Rekate , co-head of corporate banking, stated. Country-Specific Highlights : Indonesia : Emerges as a  metals hotspot , catering to rising global demand for critical raw materials. Malaysia : Gains recognition for its  supportive policies  in developing  industrial parks , fostering a conducive environment for manufacturing and investment. Vietnam : Establishes itself as a leader in  tech manufacturing , making it a key player in global technology ...

Shares of major US banks, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Citigroup, soared after Donald Trump’s election win, with investors optimistic about tax cuts and deregulation under his administration. Trump has pledged to reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to as low as 15% and eliminate excessive regulations—a contrast to Kamala Harris’s tax-raising plans. Goldman Sachs rose 13%, with JPMorgan up 12% and Citigroup up 8%, hitting multi-year highs. An ETF tracking major bank stocks also saw its best rise in four years. Analysts predict a friendlier regulatory environment that could lift bank profitability, particularly through increased dealmaking and capital markets activity. Trump’s return could also disrupt the Basel capital rules, with speculation that he may reduce capital requirements for US banks, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Wells Fargo’s Mike Mayo noted this could lead to a “capital markets super-cycle” as deal activity rises. On the global front, European...

  Citigroup has repeatedly violated a US Federal Reserve rule that limits intercompany transactions, resulting in errors in its internal liquidity reporting, according to a Citi document from December reviewed by Reuters. This is the first time these infractions are being reported. Regulation W Infractions Under Regulation W, banks must restrict transactions like loans to the affiliates they control to protect depositors whose money is insured up to $250,000 by the government. These breaches have occurred as Citi works to address separate issues in its risk management and internal controls, which regulators criticized as "unsafe and unsound" in 2020. Citi was also rebuked over its counterparty risk measurements in 2023 and fined $136 million this year for insufficient progress on compliance. The firm's response to the breaches led to inaccuracies in liquidity reporting, highlighting weaknesses in Citi's ability to identify, monitor, and prevent future Regulation W vio...