Citi-Fudan University Banking Courses kicked off on Oct.30th

On October 30th, 2012, the first Citi-Fudan University Banking Course was successfully held in Room 104, Li Dasan Buiding.82 students were selected based on their educational backgrounds, working experience and strong interests in the financial field, attended the first course. Besides,there are many auditors who were not selected in the course but still showed great enthusiasm in financial field attending this class. Dr. Zhu Qi, instructor of Finance Department, is the course advisor of this year. The opening class started from 14:00pm, however, almost all the students already seated in the classroom before 13:30 with high interest of this class.

　
The course began with Opening Remarks delivered by　Prof. Yin Zhiwen,　Vice Dean of the School of Management, and　Mr. Andrew Au,　Chairman, Citibank (China) Co., Ltd., Chief Executive Officer, Citi China. ProfessorYinintroduced the history of Citi-Fudan University Banking Courses, he stressed that the series of Citi-Fudan University Banking Courses is the only cooperation between Citibank and universities in China and this year was the 12^thanniversary of this course. He also expressed his expectation of students who attended this class to cherish this good opportunity to learn more about the banking industry and Citi Bank.Mr. Andrew Au introduced his career in Citi Bank and recalled the cooperation and friendship between Citi Bank with Management School of Fudan. He said that many managers in Citi Bank graduates from Fudan University and he wished more and more talents joined Citi Bank in the future. At the end of opening remarks, Professor Yin gave a gift to Mr. Andrew Au to represent the gratitude of school for the long-time support from Citi Bank.

After half an hour of opening remarks, Andrew Au began the formal lecture on　Micro Economic Update and Banking Landscape in China. He generalized the topic from the following 3 aspects: Economic update and major event in 2012, banking industry in China, Citi Bank in China. Andrew Au referred to such factors as GDP growth, private consumption and savings, investment unemployment,leadership transition, and incremental structure reforms to demonstrate the macro environment at present. He also illustrated the top issues for banking industry in China as weakened credit demand, rising NPLs and increased capital needs (Basel III).Then he introduced the current development of banking industry in China. As he said, China is a large and fast growing financial services sector in the world and represents 42% of total financial services revenue pool in Asia Pacific. However, compared with the fast growth of banking industry, foreign banks still represent small share in a highly regulated and competitive market. On one hand, although new policies and financial instruments are being introduced and more structural change are being implemented since China joined WTO in 2007, foreign banks are still somewhat curtailed in a highly concentrated market. On the other hand, Citi China is facing the intense competition from foreign and local players.Andrew Aualso elaborated market trends in China from three aspects: rapid urbanization with the rise of middle class, the rise of RMB and RMB internationalization, China’s major trade corridors and capital flow. When it came to the last part, Citi Bank in China, Andrew Augave a big picture ofCiti’s long history in China from1902 to 2012.Since first Shanghai Branch opened in China in 1902, Citi’s franchise reached major milestones over the past several years and became the first global bank to issue sole branded credit card in China in 2012.Now Citi China employs approximately 6,500 employees and developed its business including institutional client group, global consumer bank, infrastructure and investments.

After about one and a half hours, all the audience applauded Mr.Andrew Au for the excellent course. Several MBA students raised questions about the banking industry development in China and Mr.Andrew Aukindly replied these questions from his professional perspective. The first Citi-Fudan University Course 2012 closed successfully. Increasing interests in financial industry were stirred up among the attendees. They were all looking forward to the next course scheduled on Nov 6th.

FUDAN MBA PROGRAM
CITI COURSE TA: Vivi ZHANG (张玮), 2012 IMBA Class 1