Through this new service, Citi will offer RMB accounts domiciled in the UK, including payments and collections capabilities, trade services and financing, along with FX transactions and hedging solutions.

This launch leverages the RMB internationalisation and the increasing importance of the city of London as a key offshore centre for RMB business. Citi's comprehensive RMB services will help clients capitalize on this opportunity by making efficiency gains in liquidity management, and improving their supply chain relationships in China. Multi-national clients can leverage Citi's RMB solution to include China subsidiaries into their global and regional treasury centres. In addition, the new solution makes RMB FX management more efficient and transparent and allows clients the ability to hedge against adverse currency movements.

Rajesh Mehta, EMEA Head of Treasury & Trade Solutions, said:
"EMEA is the second largest trade partner with China, and the European market is quick to adopt RMB denominated transactions. According to the SWIFT RMB Tracker, Europe currently represents 47% of RMB global payments, excluding China and Hong Kong.
Our London platform is an ideal hub to roll-out our new RMB solution, thereby allowing our clients to gain better access to the Chinese market and capture new growth opportunities.
We look forward to leverage our global network as well as our strong local presence in China and Hong Kong to expand this solution to clients across Middle East and Africa."

Naveed Sultan, Global Head of Treasury & Trade Solutions, added: "This launch is a key milestone for us to support the growth of our clients globally. Our economists expect China to become the world's biggest importer as well as the biggest country by trade value by 2015 and we want to help our clients access this growing market. By offering a wide range of RMB products and services, we demonstrate our commitment to support our clients' business globally and help them embraeembrace RMB in their trade and cash management practices"