Stephen Bird, Citi

Stephen Bird Stephen Bird is Chief Executive Officer of Global Consumer Banking. His global responsibilities include all Consumer and Commercial Banking businesses in 19 countries, including Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Credit Cards, Mortgages and Operations and Technology supporting the business. He is a member of the Citi Operating Committee. Previously, Mr. Bird was CEO of Asia Pacific, responsible for all of Citi's consumer and institutional businesses across 17 markets in the region. As CEO, he established Citi as Asia's leading bank, pioneered digital innovations and accelerated Citi's expansion in China. In China, Citi established a joint venture with Orient Securities, was the first global bank to issue sole-branded credit cards and was one of the first foreign banks to open a branch in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. Under his leadership, Citi was named "Best Bank in Asia" by FinanceAsia for six consecutive years. From 2009 to 2012, he served as joint CEO of Citi Asia Pacific with responsibility for North Asia, served as Head of Consumer Banking in Asia Pacific from 2006 to 2008, responsible for more than 30 million customer accounts across the region, and served four years in Citi Japan as CEO of Credit Cards and Consumer Finance. Earlier, he was Head of Operations & Technology for Citi Latin America, covering all of Citi's businesses in 23 countries. Mr. Bird joined Citi in 1998 in Singapore as the Asia Pacific Head for Operations & Technology. He successfully built Citi's technological and operational capability to deliver outstanding customer service and market-leading Internet and mobile capability. Citi's award-winning e-commerce capabilities continue to win customer and industry recognition. He relocated to Latin America in 2001. Prior to Citi, Mr. Bird held senior management positions in GE Capital and British Steel in the United Kingdom. At GE Capital, Mr. Bird launched its 6 Sigma program and established a client focus and continual improvement culture in GE Capital Fleet Services before becoming its Director of U.K. Operations. He is a recipient of GE's "Pinnacle Award" for pioneering work in establishing joint commercial ventures between GE Capital's different businesses serving the financial needs of the U.K. automotive sector. Mr. Bird is an alumnus of Citi's Chairman's Executive Forum and GE's European Advanced Leadership program. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society, the U.S.-China Business Council and the International Advisory Board of the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is both a graduate and Honorary Fellow of University College Cardiff.

Special appearance by:


Panel discussion


10.55 - 11.40

Looking forward to enhanced cross-border fund distribution

One of the aims of the Capital Markets Union project is to foster growth by reinforcing the role of capital markets, investment funds and asset managers, in the financing of the European economy, too dependent on bank financing. In this context, the European Commission has made proposals to remove the remaining barriers to cross-border distribution of funds. How will these impact the distribution processes?
Will integration help the cross-border investment fund industry to seize the opportunity and contribute more effectively towards economic growth? If so, which are the products and who are the clients?

A debate between the Commission and the industry


11.40 - 12.25

Delegation, "third countries", Brexit... Quo vadis, distribution of EU funds?

Delegation of certain asset management functions to a company’s headquarters, other group companies or specialist third-party asset managers, with the decision-making process and risk oversight remaining in the country from which delegation takes place, is a tried and tested practice in the European and international fund industry.
It is important to third-country asset managers of European funds and it benefits the end investor by providing access to local asset management expertise. Brexit, coupled with the “ESA Review” proposal, have put the delegation model at the core of heated discussions. How are these perceived outside the EU? What is the way forward?

A regulators debate


14.35 - 15.15

Focus on Latin America

Key developments in the region, including recent amendments to pension fund regulations, offer new distribution opportunities for UCITS and alternative fund managers, as well as improved choice for local investors.

A deep dive into local trends and regulatory changes


15.15 - 15.30

Leading in the Digital Age: Thoughts from a Consumer Banking Giant

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is one of the most profound periods of disruption in human history. In a world made mobile, consumer behavior is rapidly evolving and challengers are coming in all shapes and sizes from every corner of the world. No industry is immune and the digitization of banking, which is happening first, has profound implications for the investments industry.  How do industry leaders transform to meet client expectations and compete?  Stephen Bird, CEO of Citi’s Global Consumer Bank, will discuss how Citi is capturing digital’s transformative opportunity to deliver a more powerful client experience and drive client-led growth.

  • Stephen Bird

    Stephen Bird Chief Executive Officer, Global Consumer Banking Citi


16.00 - 16.40

Focus on Southeast Asia

The fund and asset management industries in Southeast Asia are growing significantly. The panel presents new opportunities in the region, including in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and the Pacific.


16.40 - 17.05

A discussion with NICSA and HKIFA

ALFI talks to its Conference Partners, NICSA and HKIFA, about important developments in their respective markets, amongst others the progress of Asian passporting schemes or FinTech in the US.