[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Citibank Korea (CEO Ha, Yung Ku, www.citibank.co.kr) was ‘Best Consumer Internet Banks’ and ‘Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Banks’ in Korea by Global Finance magazine for three years in a row. The award assesses banks' capabilities in internet banking across countries and service/process categories.

In the category of best corporate/institutional internet bank, Citi won in 15 out of 16 Asian markets. Of the 14 consumer markets in the region, Citi won in seven for Best Consumer Internet Bank on a country level. These markets included Australia, Guam, Indonesia, India, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. At the regional level, Citigroup Asia Pacific was named winner in the Best Consumer Internet Banks sub-categories for Best Information Security initiatives.

Winning banks were selected based on the strength of their strategy in attracting and servicing online customers, success in getting them to use web offerings, the growth of online customers, breadth of product offerings, and web site design and functionality. Winners were chosen among entries evaluated by a panel of independent judges, with Global Finance editors responsible for the final selection of winners.

“One of Citi‘s strategic priorities is to be the world’s leading digital bank offering a comprehensive suite of internet and mobile services that deliver greater convenience and flexible access for our customers. This important recognition underlines the progress we are making and we will continue to invest in new technology and innovate further to support our customers' needs,” said Citi official. .

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.