The New Era of Asset Servicing

Asset servicing is at a pivotal crossroads. As markets become more complex and with the introduction of new asset types, the operational backbone of post-trade is under increasing pressure to adapt. 

For Citi, modernizing asset servicing is about more than technology upgrades. It’s an opportunity to reimagine how asset servicing should work in a more dynamic, data-driven world. 

Our goal is to create a singular, real-time asset servicing platform that keeps pace with our clients’ ambitions, connecting them directly to the markets, enabling quicker access to information, and giving them the confidence to act when every second counts. 

Core elements of asset servicing modernization  

Asset servicing complexity is often compounded by the fragmented and manual nature of corporate action processing, where clients typically have to make active decisions based on tight turnaround windows, multiple layers of data validation, and information that passes through multiple intermediaries. To combat this, Citi has developed single event processing (SEP) technology which replaces traditional, fragmented corporate action workflows with a single channel that processes events in real time using a single, consolidated record. This eliminates batch processing and unnecessary handoffs between the local and global custody layers, reducing the risk of mismatches and delays.  

As well as streamlining event processing, it is also important to improve the management of disparate sources of data and how they are supplied to investors. We have been exploring how concepts such as API driven communications and data sharing via platforms can help speed up data transfer and seamless notifications (i.e. our partnership with Snowflake¹).

Operational benefits clients are experiencing today 

Harnessing the power of Citi’s proprietary network across 63 markets, we are bringing clients closer to the market with real-time processing of corporate actions - workflows are faster and more streamlined with fewer touchpoints, requiring less manual oversight. Real-time updates on holdings, transactions, and corporate actions provide more control to enable smarter decision-making.  

Perhaps most importantly, the global consistency of our unified platform helps address a longstanding issue: fragmentation. For firms operating across regions, our platform brings greater coherence and reliability, qualities that matter deeply in volatile or fast-moving markets. 

In today’s high-volume environment, even small errors can carry significant consequences. We’ve focused on creating a foundation that clients can trust. 

Future-ready asset servicing to support growth and innovation  

We’re building for the future as much as the present. With increasing adoption of digital assets and tokenized securities, and new regulatory models on the horizon, we are committed to ensuring clients remain prepared as the landscape changes. 

Our platform is based on a modular, data-centric architecture that is designed to flex and scale. By integrating global and local servicing into one framework, we’re able to offer clients a consistent experience across all markets, something that’s long been a challenge in a fragmented ecosystem. 

At Citi, we remain committed to delivering a service model that’s fit for the future: secure, efficient, and always evolving.