Citibank has appointed veteran banker Kaustubh Kulkarni as co-head of investment banking for the Asia-Pacific region, a move aimed at strengthening its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing financial markets. Kulkarni will take charge in December and will be based in Singapore. He will work alongside Jan Metzger, Citi’s current regional head, to oversee operations across Japan, North Asia, Australia, and South Asia.

Kulkarni joins Citi after a distinguished three-decade career at JPMorgan, where he held several senior roles including Senior Country Officer for India, Vice Chair for Asia-Pacific, Head of Investment Banking in India, and Co-Head for Southeast Asia. Over the years, he has been instrumental in executing landmark mergers and acquisitions, as well as equity and debt offerings that shaped corporate strategies across the region.

Industry insiders view this appointment as a strong signal of Citi’s intention to expand its deal-making capabilities in Asia, particularly at a time when global investment flows are shifting toward emerging markets. With deal activity in sectors like technology, healthcare, and renewable energy gaining momentum, Citi is positioning itself to compete aggressively with rivals for advisory and financing mandates.

The bank is also expected to leverage Kulkarni’s extensive network and experience to deepen client relationships in India and Southeast Asia, two regions that are expected to drive future growth. His expertise in navigating complex cross-border transactions is likely to be an asset as Citi targets larger and more diversified deals.

By bringing in a seasoned leader, Citi aims not only to reinforce its regional leadership team but also to capture a greater share of investment banking opportunities across Asia-Pacific. The move underscores the bank’s broader strategy to invest in senior talent and cement its standing as a leading global financial institution.