Citi's journey in the United Arab Emirates started in 1964 when Citibank, a member of Citigroup, opened its first branch in Dubai followed by Abu Dhabi in 1971. Since then, the bank came to be known for delivering excellence and consistently introducing the latest banking products and services to the UAE market. In 2006, Citi opened its regional Middle East office at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) following approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate as an authorized firm.

In 2018, Citi was granted a license by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to set up a branch of Citibank NA at ADGM. The new Citi branch provides liquidity management solutions to Citi's clients looking to establish regional Treasury centres in the UAE.

Citi is currently a major provider of Consumer credit services, including personal loans. The bank's branch network in the UAE includes four branches, one smart center, three Citigold lounges and a network of 39 ATMs.

In the wider investment banking space, Citi differentiates itself by combining a world-class M&A and Capital Markets practice with a long established regional banking presence. This unique mix of global product and industry expertise, strong local relationships and the most extensive international network, allows Citi to deliver holistic and innovative solutions to clients and meet the increasingly complex strategies of its regional client base in the Middle East in an ever-changing financial landscape.

Through Citi Foundation, Citi's social investment arm, the bank works to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs, which target local talent and aspiring entrepreneurs around the world, including the UAE. In this context, the bank had forged successful partnerships with top academic institutions such as Higher Colleges of Technology, the University of Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, Sharjah Women's College, Ittihad University and Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies in the past 15 years to help develop local banking talent. Most recently, Citi Foundation has partnered with Amideast, Education for Employment (EfE), Injaz Al-Arab. As part of its commitment to the Paralympic Movement globally and within the UAE, Citi sponsored the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

In 2020 Citi UAE contributed 50,000 USD to UAE 10 million meals initiative from The MBR Humanitarian and Charity Establishment .The charity will use the funds to provide 20, 000 meals to communities affected by COVID-19 outbreak in the UAE, as part of the biggest food drive in the country. 10 million meals campaign enables institutions to make in kind and financial donations towards providing meals to low income families throughout the month of Ramadan