Introduction:

Citigroup Inc. has announced its decision to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) for its Banamex unit, opting out of a potential $7 billion divestiture to a local buyer due to complications arising from Mexico's president. The proposed sale of Banamex's retail operations to Grupo Mexico SAB faced setbacks as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador imposed conditions on the deal, including Mexican capital backing, job security, and preservation of Banamex's significant art collection. With Citigroup now focusing on an IPO, this move presents an opportunity for the Mexican government to explore a partnership with the bank.

Challenges and Changing Bidders:

Several bidders had shown interest in acquiring Banamex, but President Lopez Obrador's demands led to the withdrawal of Banco Santander SA and Grupo Financiero Banorte, Mexico's largest domestically-owned bank. The president's decision to seize control of a Grupo Mexico-operated railroad line further strained relations between him and Larrea, the controlling shareholder of Grupo Mexico. Despite the tension, President Lopez Obrador expressed his willingness to explore a private-public partnership with Citigroup, suggesting that the Mexican government could invest up to $3 billion in Banamex.

Citigroup's Strategic Shift:

Citigroup's decision to divest Banamex is part of CEO Jane Fraser's broader strategy to retreat from global consumer banking and concentrate on more profitable ventures. The bank is in the process of disposing of 13 other retail units across Asia and Europe. The IPO plan allows Citigroup to restart stock buybacks in the current quarter, which had been put on hold due to the expected impact of the divestiture on capital levels. While institutional and private-banking services will continue in Mexico, the separation of these services from retail products is expected to be completed in the second half of next year, paving the way for the IPO in 2025.

Banamex's Offering and Future Outlook:

The IPO will retain the Banco Nacional de Mexico brand, known as Banamex locally, and include its retail and commercial operations, credit-card offerings, consumer loans, residential-mortgage loans, annuities, pension assets, deposits, and commercial-banking products. The division boasts 12.7 million retail customers, 6,600 commercial clients, and 10 million pension-fund customers. The renowned art collection owned by Banamex, which holds significant cultural value, will remain a part of the new company.

Banamex's History and Citigroup's Response:

Citigroup acquired Banamex in 2001 for $12.5 billion, transforming it into the bank's largest branch network worldwide and a highly profitable division. However, Banamex faced scandals, including a fraud case involving loans to Oceanografia SA, leading to regulatory scrutiny and Citigroup's overhaul of lending practices in Mexico. In 2017, Citigroup admitted to criminal violations and paid a settlement of $97 million for anti-money laundering control issues within Banamex. Despite these challenges, Citigroup initially viewed Banamex as a crucial profit source but later shifted its focus to more stable revenue streams such as wealth management and treasury services.

Conclusion:

Citigroup's decision to pursue an IPO for Banamex marks a significant shift in strategy and highlights the challenges faced due to the Mexican president's conditions. The IPO plan offers an opportunity for the Mexican government to explore a partnership with Citigroup, potentially investing billions of dollars in Banamex. As Citigroup continues to streamline its operations and focus on more profitable businesses, the IPO presents a chance for the bank to maximize the value of Banamex for its shareholders and regain momentum in its stock buyback program.