Citi Expands Real-Time Asset Servicing in North America with SEP

The financial services industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and an increasing demand for efficiency and real-time capabilities. In response to this evolving landscape, Citi Investor Services has announced the expansion of its Single Event Processing (SEP) technology across North America, marking a pivotal step in its strategy to revolutionize asset servicing.

Revolutionizing Asset Servicing with Single Event Processing

Citi’s Single Event Processing (SEP) technology represents a substantial leap forward in how financial institutions manage and deliver asset servicing. Designed to enable real-time processing, SEP empowers clients with enhanced access to funds and significantly improves operational accuracy. This innovation directly addresses long-standing challenges within the custody space, where traditional processes can often lead to delays and inefficiencies.

The fundamental premise of SEP is to create a unified platform that streamlines operations. By consolidating processes, it eliminates redundant tasks, reduces manual handoffs, and mitigates delays associated with reconciliation. This integrated approach ensures that clients benefit from a more agile and responsive asset servicing experience, crucial in today's fast-paced global markets.

Strategic Rollout and Global Ambitions

The North American rollout follows a successful initial deployment in select European markets and with International Central Securities Depositories. Citi has outlined an ambitious timeline for SEP’s global expansion, planning to extend the technology to its entire custody network by 2026. This phased implementation underscores Citi’s commitment to a comprehensive technological overhaul across its investor services offerings.

Amit Agarwal, head of custody at Citi Investor Services, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative. “The launch of Single Event Processing and real-time asset servicing is a critical component of how we are transforming our services for the future,” Agarwal stated. He emphasized the bank’s ongoing investments in infrastructure modernization, application enhancement, and process simplification, all aimed at delivering a best-in-class client experience as markets continue to evolve and new asset types emerge. This forward-looking perspective positions Citi at the forefront of adapting to and shaping the future of financial services.

Enhancing the Client Proposition

Chris Cox, head of investor services at Citi, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the introduction of SEP redefines the "future of custody." He underscored that this development is an integral part of Citi’s broader endeavor to provide innovative and distinct services to its clientele. “Across our broader Services platform, we can now deliver real-time cash, liquidity and asset servicing, and that is an extremely powerful client proposition,” Cox noted, highlighting the integrated benefits that extend beyond just asset servicing.

The implications of SEP are far-reaching. By providing a single, cohesive platform across Citi’s extensive custody network of over 100 markets, the technology promises to significantly enhance operational efficiency and data integrity. The elimination of duplication and reconciliation delays translates into tangible benefits for clients, including faster access to critical information and improved decision-making capabilities.

Citi's Broader Digital Transformation Agenda

The expansion of SEP is not an isolated initiative but rather a key component of Citi's overarching strategy for digital transformation and innovation within its Services segment. This segment, which includes Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) and Securities Services, has demonstrated robust performance, indicating a successful pivot towards technology-driven solutions.

For instance, Citi’s Services segment achieved its best first quarter in over a decade in 2025, a testament to the efficacy of its strategic investments. This strong momentum continued into the second quarter, with the Services business reporting record revenues of $5.1 billion, an impressive 8% increase year-over-year. Such financial performance underscores the positive impact of technological enhancements on Citi’s bottom line and its competitive position in the market.

Recent Innovations and Future Outlook

Beyond SEP, Citi has been actively pursuing several other innovative projects that align with its vision of modernizing financial services:

• Blockchain Integration: In a move to enhance cross-border payments, Citi recently announced plans to integrate its blockchain-based token services platform with its existing clearing solutions. This initiative aims to establish a 24/7, multibank cross-border instant payments capability for institutional clients in the United Kingdom and the United States, signaling a clear commitment to leveraging distributed ledger technology for improved efficiency and accessibility.
• Digital Wallet Partnerships: Further expanding its global payments reach, Citi integrated its cross-border payments solution with Dandelion’s digital wallet network. This collaboration enables institutional clients to utilize Citi’s WorldLink Payment Services to deliver near-instant, full-value payments into digital wallets worldwide, with almost 24/7 availability. This partnership exemplifies Citi’s dedication to embracing diverse payment ecosystems to serve its clients better.

These initiatives, alongside the SEP rollout, paint a picture of a financial institution proactively adapting to the demands of the digital age. By investing in real-time processing, blockchain technology, and expanded digital payment networks, Citi is not only enhancing its current offerings but also laying the groundwork for future advancements in financial services.

Conclusion

The extension of Citi Investor Services’ Single Event Processing technology to North America signifies a significant milestone in the bank's commitment to modernizing asset servicing. Through real-time capabilities, improved accuracy, and a unified platform, SEP is poised to deliver substantial benefits to clients, fostering greater transparency and efficiency. Coupled with Citi's robust performance in its Services segment and its continuous pursuit of digital innovations, this strategic move solidifies Citi’s position as a leader in transforming the global financial landscape. As the industry continues its trajectory towards increased digitalization, Citi's proactive approach through initiatives like SEP will undoubtedly set new benchmarks for client experience and operational excellence.