Citi
Bulge bracketA behavioural HireVue and group assessment stage, then an assessment centre of back to back interviews mixing fundamentals and fit. Citi leans on its global network and its three leadership principles.
About Citi
A truly global bank operating in around 160 countries, more than almost any rival. Citi serves institutions, corporations, governments and consumers across markets, banking, services and wealth.
- Founded
- 1812
- Headquarters
- New York
- Employees
- Around 230,000
- Total assets
- About $2.4 trillion
- Reach
- Around 160 countries
- Main divisions
- Services; Markets; Banking; Wealth; US Personal Banking
Core values
The process
- 1Application & online tests
Online application plus online assessments, including a Plum style behavioural assessment.
- 2HireVue video interview
One way video with behavioural and motivational questions (why Citi, teamwork, a challenge, your CV) and sometimes a basic technical. Used across spring weeks and summer internships.
- 3Assessment centre
A group exercise and skills tests, then several back to back interviews, usually four to six, mixing technical (accounting, valuation, deal mechanics) and behavioural questions for summer roles.
What Citi screens for
- A specific reason for Citi, often its unrivalled global network across around 160 countries
- The leadership principles: take ownership, deliver with pride, succeed together
- Teamwork, leadership and problem solving, tested in group exercises
- Clear fundamentals at the assessment centre: accounting, DCF, comps and precedents
- Market awareness and a deal you can discuss
The AI marks your answers against this emphasis — not just a generic rubric.
Reported questions
14 questions · reviewed July 2026Aggregated from candidate reports across public sources and dated by how recently they’ve been reported. Each question is tagged by stage (HireVue or interview round) and by programme where it differs. Treat recency and frequency as a guide to likelihood, not a guarantee.
Motivation & fit4
Why Citi?
HireVueVery commonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Lead with something genuinely Citi: its unrivalled global network across around 160 countries, a business like Banking or Markets, or its leadership principles. Tie it to your goals and avoid a generic 'big global bank' line.
Why investment banking?
HireVueVery commonReported long-standingWhat a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
A coherent story: what pulled you in, what you enjoy about the work, and why now. Show you understand the real job, not a glamourised version.
Why do you want to do a Citi spring or early insight programme?
HireVueSpring weekCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
For a spring week, motivation is everything: what you want to learn, why now, and why Citi specifically. Show curiosity and a clear reason you applied here.
Why Citi over another bank?
InterviewCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Draw a real contrast: Citi's global network and specific strengths versus the alternative, connected to what you want. Vague comparisons get exposed here.
Behavioural & competency3
Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
HireVueVery commonReported long-standingWhat a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
STAR. Show real collaboration: your role, a disagreement you navigated, and the result. Maps to the 'succeed together' principle.
Describe a situation where you overcame a challenge.
HireVueCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Pick a real, non-trivial challenge. Explain the situation, your actions and the outcome, and reflect briefly on what you learned. Resilience and ownership are the signals.
Tell me about a time you showed leadership.
InterviewCommonReported long-standingWhat a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
STAR: you drove the outcome, brought people with you, handled a setback, delivered a result. Maps to 'take ownership' and 'deliver with pride'.
Commercial awareness2
Tell me about a macro event or something in the markets right now.
HireVueCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Pick something current, explain why it matters and its knock on effects, and give a considered view. Use the Market Pulse feed to prep.
Walk me through a recent deal you have followed.
InterviewCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
The parties, the rough size, the rationale, and your own view on whether it makes sense. Keep it current and be ready for follow ups.
About you2
Walk me through your CV.
HireVueVery commonReported long-standingWhat a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
A 60 to 90 second narrative, not a list: where you started, the moves that led here, and why Citi is the logical next step. End pointing at the role.
How do you judge your success in life so far?
InterviewOccasionalReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
A genuinely Citi-reported question. Be reflective and honest: the measure you use, an example, and what it says about your values. There's no single right answer, but a thoughtful one stands out.
Technical3
Walk me through the three financial statements.
InterviewSummerCommonReported long-standingWhat a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Income statement (performance over a period), balance sheet (a snapshot that must balance), cash flow statement (net income back to cash). Then show how they link.
Walk me through a DCF.
InterviewSummerCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Project unlevered free cash flow, discount at WACC, add a terminal value, sum to enterprise value, then bridge to equity value and per share. Know each input.
What are the main valuation methods, and which gives the highest value?
InterviewSummerCommonReported 2024–25What a strong answer covers ↓Hide ↑
Comparable companies, precedent transactions and DCF, plus LBO where relevant. Precedents usually sit highest because they include a control premium; explain the caveats.
Interviewed at Citi recently?
Tell us what you were asked and we’ll add it here for the next candidate.