US lender Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser has sent an internal memo, stressing a “more commercial mindset” for employees. Signalling a stronger performance-first culture, Fraser highlighted that going forward, effort alone won't be enough, while there will be an enhanced focus on disciplined execution.
“This year is about building on what we've earned. Every one of us has to adopt a more commercial mindset: asking for the business, competing for the full wallet, and not settling for a secondary role or missed opportunity. We are not graded on effort. We are judged on our results. And I expect to see the last vestiges of old, bad habits fall away, and a more disciplined, more confident, winning Citi fully emerge in 2026,” she told the employees.
Echoing the broader sentiment, she stressed that artificial intelligence and automation will play a central role in reshaping work. Fraser said new tools have already reduced mundane tasks for 1,82,000 employees, allowing focus on higher-value activities, according to the memo seen by NDTV Profit.
“It is exciting to see how AI is already starting to materially improve what we deliver to our clients: more personalisation, new capabilities, better service. This will strengthen our ability to compete and grow,” she added.
What Does It Mean For Banking Careers In 2026
Fraser's comments reflect the broader sentiment about the growing impact of AI on everyday tasks and careers. For banking careers, this means higher expectations and a shift toward skills in technology and analytics.
With the rollout of AI tools for its 1.82 lakh employees, Citi has already eliminated some of the more mundane tasks, according to Fraser. This helped in “creating space for new activities that were not possible before,” she explained, highlighting that “change at this scale brings real implications.”
In the memo, Fraser hinted at structural changes at Citi due to automation and AI, which could be a broader trend for the sector in 2026.
“Over time, we can expect automation, AI and further process simplification to reshape how work gets done: some roles will change, new ones will emerge, and others will no longer be required,” she said.
The CEO stressed that as the transformation winds down, overall headcount will decline, leading to a more streamlined organisation.
“At the same time, this shift will result in some overall role reductions as our headcount continues to come down. We know what's required. We know the standard. And we are clear about where we are headed,” she noted.
Her comments hint that sectors, including banking, are set to witness significant workforce changes in 2026. After tech giants such as Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, banks are also now embracing AI and automation at scale. This is anticipated to eliminate certain traditional banking roles, while employees will be expected to skill up, focusing ona technology-driven career mindset and the ability to adapt AI into their day-to-day work.
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