Citibank (Citi) set up a branch located on Marion Barry Avenue SE on May 15, hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony with community leaders, nonprofit organization leaders like Shannon Herbert, president and CEO of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, and Citi executives such as Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason.
The state-of-the-art branch in the heart of Ward 8 offers Citi’s full array of services, with flexible seating and an open-floor concept that encourages the community to engage with the bank through events, educational outreach and other activities.
Karima Woods, the commissioner for the District’s Insurance, Securities and Banking Agency, praised Citi’s newest location.
“I can tell that you are not just opening a branch here,” she said. “You are going to embed yourselves in the community. Thank you for your commitment to Anacostia.”
Scott Kratz, Building Bridges Across the River Senior vice president and 11th Street Bridge Park director, offered Citi a “huge welcome.”
“Citi helped invest in our East of the River Homebuyers club that to date has seen 167 Ward 8 renters become homeowners, building intergenerational wealth,” Kratz said. “At this location, it is really the epicenter of Anacostia, and we’re so excited to have you here. We can’t wait to see the continued partnership.”
With 33 branches throughout the Washington metropolitan area, following Clarendon and Vienna, Anacostia is the third new branch set up in the regional market this year. One of Citi’s programs is to expand financial literacy and to that aim, it will partner with FICO to sponsor a “Score a Better Future” credit empowerment program at its Benning branch on July 9.
Additionally, Citi Foundation has granted over $45 million to community organizations working across the Washington area. Ed Patterson, the Central Southeast Region head at Citi, said the reception of his bank has been positive.
“We’re thrilled to officially open our doors in the heart of Anacostia and deeply grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from the community since our soft opening in April,” Patterson said. “This new branch reflects Citi’s continued investment in the Washington, D.C. region—a vibrant market where we’ve proudly had a presence for more than a century. We’re excited to continue expanding access to financial services and building meaningful relationships across the region.”
