Better Health for All

Citigroup's core financial services products have a neutral direct health impact. The company has increased its investments in healthcare providers such as Community Health Systems

, Option Care Health , and Molina Healthcare, which serves Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries . Between 2020 and 2023, Citigroup and the Citi Foundation committed over $1 billion to their Action for Racial Equity Initiative, aiming to close the racial wealth gap and address health disparities tied to economic inequities . The Citi Foundation also launched a $25 million Global Innovation Challenge to support 50 nonprofit organizations globally in enhancing food security for underserved communities . Citigroup participates in healthcare summits and publishes reports on the application of AI in healthcare .

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

In November 2023, Citigroup was fined $25.9 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for discriminating against Armenian Americans in credit card applications.

The company also faced allegations in January 2025 for failing to protect customers from online fraud and reimburse victims , and a lawsuit in May 2025 concerning alleged involvement in a $3.3 billion fraud with a Mexican oil services company. Conversely, in June 2022, Citi eliminated overdraft fees, returned item fees, and overdraft protection fees. Between 2022 and 2023, the company completed 50 social finance transactions totaling approximately $3 billion in Latin America to enhance access to services and stimulate economic growth for small enterprises. Specific initiatives include a $15 million social impact loan in El Salvador and a $20 million social trade loan in Panama in October 2024 , and a $6 million loan in Colombia in September 2023, with 40% directed to women-led businesses. Citi also structured a social trade loan to a microfinance institution in Guatemala in December 2023. In October 2023, the Citi Financial Pathways platform was introduced to provide resources for financial literacy and empowerment. Additionally, Citi issued a $1 billion Social Finance Bond in October 2021 and expanded its Impact Fund in June 2021 to invest in companies addressing financial capability and access to capital for underserved communities.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In fiscal year 2023, Citigroup's CEO total compensation to median employee compensation ratio was 360:1.

In November 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Citigroup $25.9 million for intentionally discriminating against Armenian American credit card applicants. In March 2024, the company paused its annual review of racial and gender pay gaps, attributing the decision to ongoing organizational restructuring, with plans to resume reviews once the realignment of roles is complete. Recent lawsuits and reports from 2024 detail allegations of a culture of persistent sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation within Citigroup. These include claims by a managing director of being terminated in May 2024 for refusing to provide false data to regulators, and another managing director alleging pervasive sexual harassment and gender discrimination in April 2024.

Honest & Fair Business

Citigroup incurred $164.4 million in ethics-related regulatory fines over the past three years.

This includes a $135.6 million penalty in July 2024 from the Federal Reserve and OCC for persistent deficiencies in risk control, data management, and internal controls. In November 2023, the CFPB fined the company $25.9 million for discriminating against Armenian American credit card applicants. Additionally, in August 2023, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. received a $2.9 million civil penalty from the SEC for recordkeeping violations. The company has established a global Ethics Hotline, available 24/7, and prohibits retaliatory actions against individuals who report concerns in good faith. However, a former managing director filed a lawsuit in August 2024, alleging termination for refusing to mislead regulators, though Citigroup denied these allegations.

Kind to Animals

Citigroup's board recommended against shareholder proposals in 2024

and 2025 that requested reports on animal welfare oversight, stating such reports were unnecessary as animal welfare is included in existing environmental and social risk policy frameworks. However, "animal welfare" is not mentioned in the company's reports, policies, or governance documents, and Sinergia Animal’s Banks for Animals scorecard gave Citigroup a score of zero for having no meaningful animal welfare policies. Citigroup is among the largest backers of the industrial meat and dairy industries. The company's financial support is directly linked to oil drilling in the Amazon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, causing biodiversity loss and oil spills. Citigroup is the top bank providing financing and underwriting to companies active in the Amazon oil and gas industry, with an estimated total of $42 billion USD in open or recently matured deals. Furthermore, Citigroup invests in pharmaceutical companies manufacturing traditional medicine products containing parts of endangered species like leopards and pangolins. While Citigroup partnered with Taronga Conservation Society Australia for koala and Great Barrier Reef conservation, no measurable biodiversity impact or funding percentage is provided for this initiative.

No War, No Weapons

Citigroup's Environmental and Social Policy Framework restricts the financing of cluster munitions and nuclear weapons

. The policy also requires senior approval for other military equipment financing .

Planet-Friendly Business

Citigroup's LNG project financing in Texas and Louisiana is linked to health impacts, including premature deaths and and asthma, with associated health costs exceeding $36 million annually.

The company exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in 2024, which was committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, raising concerns about its climate pledges. In contrast, Citigroup achieved its goal to source 100% renewable electricity for its global operations by 2020.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Citigroup has an Environmental and Social Policy Framework that commits to enhanced due diligence for transactions potentially affecting Indigenous communities, including assessing impacts on traditional lands and cultural heritage.

Despite this protocol, the company faces ongoing criticism from Indigenous leaders and environmental activists for financing fossil fuel projects, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline, Enbridge's Line 3 and Line 5, and Amazon oil operations. These projects are linked to environmental racism, pollution, and displacement of Indigenous communities. Shareholder resolutions in 2023, garnering over 31% support, urged the company to assess its policies on Indigenous rights. While Citigroup has introduced new policies for oil and gas in the Amazon and updated its environmental policy, critics argue these measures are insufficient, indicating a reactive rather than proactive response to cultural incidents.

Safe & Smart Tech

Citigroup has faced significant regulatory challenges, incurring over $215 million in penalties in 2024 from US and UK regulators for issues including risk control failures, data management deficiencies, reporting inaccuracies, and control failures in electronic trading systems.

These fines indicate ongoing compliance failures and a reactive approach to regulation. The company also experienced a minor data leak in June 2024, exposing 5,208 unique Social Security numbers and other personal details. In terms of proactive measures, Citigroup has implemented a framework of ethical principles and an evolving risk management framework to guide AI use. Its cyber and information security program is ISO-27001 certified, and it uses vulnerability assessment and scanning tools. Basic security measures like encryption at rest and in transit and multi-factor authentication requirements are in place.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Citigroup introduced corporate cards in EMEA made from 85% recycled PVC.

The company achieved a 43% recycling rate in its California facilities. Waste reduction initiatives include donating over 20,000 pieces of furniture to charities in London, implementing new waste sorting containers in California that increased recycling rates from 10% to 43%, and collecting approximately 7 metric tons of compostable material at its New York headquarters.