Citi Custody+ is bringing near- and real-time custody solutions to institutional investors facing faster and more complex markets. Citi Investor Services launched the new suite as capital markets continue moving toward continuous operations.
The launch reflects growing demand for faster settlement and more flexible custody infrastructure. It also follows Citi’s completed U.S. rollout of its patented Single Event Processing (SEP) technology.
Citi said Citi Custody+ supports clients as settlement cycles become shorter. The platform also addresses technology disruption and growing AI-driven decision making.
Citi Custody+ Modernizes Custody Infrastructure
Citi Custody+ moves away from a standardized custody model. Instead, Citi has developed a modular ecosystem that can adapt to different client workflows. The platform allows clients to scale their operating models across markets. Citi’s Custody business currently supports clients across more than 100 markets worldwide.
That coverage includes 62 proprietary markets. Meanwhile, Citi continues investing in infrastructure designed for speed, scale, and availability.
Chris Cox, Head of Investor Services at Citi said, “Citi’s Services business invests over US$2 billion annually in its platform strategy with a focus on speed, scale and availability. Custody+ is a clear example of this investment as we build infrastructure to eliminate latency and drag for institutional investor clients. By integrating our global network with data and technology, we are redefining the operational backbone for clients who require precision, transparency and continuous market access.”
Citi Custody+ combines several capabilities across custody operations. These solutions focus on speed, certainty, intelligence, and operational control. Real-time Asset Servicing processes asset servicing transactions through one seamless flow. Citi uses SEP technology across its global and domestic custody infrastructure.
Following the U.S. rollout, Citi reduced voluntary corporate action processing times by up to 92%. Moreover, 96% of U.S. voluntary events now process within two hours. Citi also reports that more than 80% of its total event volume now processes in real-time.
Instant Settlements provides integrated settlement processing from instruction through final settlement. The solution connects with Central Securities Depositories. Across Citi’s 62 proprietary Custody markets, clients receive transaction visibility. Integrated ledger technology and real-time data support that visibility.
On-Demand FX provides direct market pricing and greater transparency. Clients can also use active and passive FX solutions based on their operating requirements. The solution supports automated hedging and real-time execution. Therefore, clients can manage liquidity and FX within the settlement process.
Citi Expands Intelligence and Liquidity Capabilities
Citi Custody+ also focuses on cash management and operational intelligence. These capabilities aim to provide clients with faster access to financial information. Real-time Cash and Liquidity provides instant cash position updates. It also supports real-time liquidity sweeping and funding.
Clients can access cash balance projections for custody transactions. Additionally, Citi Token Services enables near-instant movement of tokenized deposits. The service operates on a 24/7 basis across select Citi markets. Consequently, clients can access additional options for continuous cash movement.
Accelerated Tax uses AI-led innovation to improve documentation processing. Citi has reduced processing times by up to 70%. This improvement can support faster and more efficient tax treatment outcomes. Meanwhile, Citi continues integrating AI into its broader services infrastructure.
Actionable Market Intelligence provides market information through Citi’s enhanced AI-powered Market Guide platform. The platform is available to clients across more than 100 locations. Market Guide provides relevant market-specific information for institutional investors. This includes regulatory updates and operational changes.
Citi Insights and Data provides faster access to information through cloud sharing and API connectivity. Clients can then use this data within proprietary analytics and AI models. As a result, firms can connect Citi data with their own technology environments. This approach supports greater flexibility across different operating models.
Digital Assets and White-Label Capabilities
Citi Custody+ also addresses the growing role of digital assets. Digital assets already operate with near-instant settlement and 24/7 availability. Citi expects to launch digital asset custody later this year. The initial offering will begin with custody of Bitcoin.
The service will use Citi’s common digital asset architecture. In addition, Citi plans to provide a one-stop custody experience. Clients will be able to access traditional and crypto custody capabilities through the same framework. This approach can create a more integrated custody experience.
Citi also plans to provide White-Label Platform Capabilities. These capabilities will allow clients to use Citi’s infrastructure for their own customers. The offering can help clients provide competitive services while simplifying their operations. It includes transaction initiation, workflow management, and reporting capabilities.
The platform will also provide access to market information. Therefore, clients can use Citi infrastructure while maintaining their own customer-facing operating models.
“Custody+ is the product of a multi-year commitment to building infrastructure that matches the speed of our clients’ strategies,” said Amit Agarwal, Head of Custody at Citi Investor Services. “We have designed each solution to help clients simplify their operating models amid increasing complexities in the operating environment. Custody+ is our response to their evolving needs as the industry continues to transform, moving away from legacy to next-generation architecture.”
Citi’s latest custody strategy reflects broader changes across capital markets. Institutional investors increasingly require faster processing and continuous access. At the same time, shorter settlement cycles are creating new operational demands. AI and digital assets are also changing traditional custody infrastructure. Therefore, Citi is positioning Citi Custody+ around modular technology and real-time capabilities. The platform combines custody infrastructure, data, and technology within a broader services strategy.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
