Dubai: Citibank said its operations in the United Arab Emirates continue without interruption after the bank evacuated some buildings and temporarily closed some branches as a security precaution.
Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Checks and Balances.
In a statement to Gulf News on Saturday, the bank said the measures were taken to prioritize employee safety while maintaining services to customers.
“Citibank NA UAE continues to serve customers without interruption. The decision to evacuate three of our buildings and temporarily close several branches in the UAE is in line with our commitment to prioritize the safety of our colleagues.”
The bank said all employees had been accounted for. “All colleagues are accounted for and are safe, and we are continuing to serve our customers.”
Citi added that the United Arab Emirates remains an important market within its international operations. “Citi has maintained a continuous presence in the UAE for more than six decades, recognizing its integral role in our global network.”
Stay updated: Get the latest news faster by downloading the Gulf News app – it’s completely free. Click here for Apple or here for Android. You can also find it in Huawei AppGallery.
Trust in the United Arab Emirates
The bank also expressed confidence in the economic stability of the region and the response of the UAE leadership to the situation.
“We have strong confidence in the resilience and sophistication of the regional economies, as well as the effectiveness and agility of the UAE leadership in responding to the situation. As a trusted partner, we use our global expertise to enhance clients’ operational resilience during these unprecedented times.”
Dubai hosts regional offices for many international banks, notably in the Dubai International Financial Centre, including JPMorgan Chase, HSBC and Standard Chartered.
HSBC chief executive Georges Elhedery said earlier this week the bank’s outlook for the Gulf Cooperation Council economies remains unchanged. “Our belief in the fundamentals of the GCC and its future remains unchanged,” Elhedery said.
