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Jennifer Taylor navigates a workday that spans multiple continents, beginning in one location, like Australia, and concluding in another, perhaps in Latin America. This dynamic pattern reflects the vast global responsibilities she holds as Citi’s chief compliance officer for banking and international.
Tasked with oversight across 160 markets and a presence in over 90 countries, Taylor’s role places her at the forefront of international risk management during a pivotal time for the financial services sector.
“I truly relish the challenge that comes with our global footprint,” she shared. “It’s something I find captivating.”
Her career commenced at a legal firm in London, followed by over 23 years at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, with experiences across London, Sydney, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This international exposure has been vital for her current position, where she emphasizes that upholding Citi’s reputation as a stable institution necessitates agility, resilience, and a proactive stance towards emerging issues.
One of her key achievements over the past year includes supervising the spinoff of certain international consumer divisions of Citi, a detailed operation requiring careful management of longstanding relationships.
“These divisions took years to develop in their respective countries with strong ties to clients and diverse stakeholders, making it essential to manage the divestitures with the utmost care and consideration,” she remarked. “I believe we succeeded through a dedicated focus on stewardship.”
A significant aspect of her work involved her participation on the board of Banamex, previously Citi’s banking operation in Mexico. Taylor played a pivotal role in successfully separating Banamex from the rest of Citi’s operations at the conclusion of the previous year.
As she looks forward to the upcoming year, Taylor’s attention is drawn to the compliance risks and potential surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence within Citi’s worldwide operations. The bank is introducing AI tools across its portfolio to thousands of employees working globally.
“AI and digital initiatives are evolving at various speeds around the world, and the regulatory climate is not always uniform,” she noted. “This is where maintaining up-to-date knowledge and a thirst for learning becomes critically important.”
Additionally, Taylor is the co-global lead for Citi Women, promoting female engagement across the organization through initiatives like the “demystify” event series.
Outside of her professional obligations, Taylor’s intellectual curiosity translates into her personal life as well. She’s a passionate cookbook collector, often reading culinary texts as one would a novel, using them as a cultural bridge to connect with her teams during international travels.