The Walter B. Wriston Archives

Career

Walter B. Wriston, late 1980s (This image is copyrighted to Citigroup.)

Walter B. Wriston began his career at Citibank/Citigroup as a Junior Inspector in the Comptroller's Division on June 29, 1946. He advanced through the company and was appointed Executive Vice President of Citibank on June 7, 1960. Seven years later on July 1, he was made President and Chief Executive Officer. On May 1, 1970, he was appointed Chairman. During his tenure at Citibank/Citigroup, he lobbied the U.S. government to change banking laws such as inter-state banking regulations. He also implemented Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Mr. Wriston remained with the company until his retirement on September 1, 1984.


Citibank

Junior Inspector – Comptroller’s Division June 29, 1946

Senior Inspector – Comptroller’s Division May 7, 1948

Domestic Division June 1949

Canadian and Transportation District October 1950

Assistant Cashier November 9, 1950

Assistant Vice President July 1, 1952

Transportation District January 1, 1954

Vice President December 28, 1954

In charge of European District End of 1956

Senior Vice President December 23, 1958

In Charge of Overseas Division November 1, 1959

Executive Vice President June 7, 1960

Director June 6, 1967

Member of Trust Board (Trust Bd. dissolved June 20, 1972) June 20, 1967

President & Chief Executive Officer July 1, 1967 (Passed at Board Meeting June 6, 1967)

Chairman May 1, 1970 (Passed at Board Meeting March 17, 1970)

Retired September 1, 1984

Citicorp

President & Director November 1, 1968

Chairman May 1, 1970

Retired September 1, 1984

Former Citibank Organizations

The National City Foundation

Director, President & Member of Executive Committee March 19, 1968

Chairman & Director March 16, 1971

No longer Chairman as of March 7, 1983

Retired September 1, 1984

First National City Bank (International)

Director until March 17, 1969

President from May 23, 1967

First National City Bank Services Corporation

Director from September 7, 1965 to November 24, 1967

Member of Examining Committee from December 14, 1966 to November 24, 1967

The Bank of Monrovia

Director from December 1, 1956 to February 24, 1969

Chairman from June 1, 1965 to September 7, 1967

First National City Overseas Investment Corporation

Director from December 18, 1961 to February 24, 1969

President from December 18, 1961 to October 20, 1967

International Banking Corporation

Director until May 19, 1969

President from August 1, 1967 to May 16, 1969

New York Agent from August 1, 1967 to July 18, 1969

First National City Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited

Director from July 1, 1967 to April 9, 1971

First National City Bank (South Africa) Limited

Director July 18, 1958

Alternate Director to Mr. Kennedy May 20, 1960

Elected Chairman of the Board and Director September 2, 1970 until March 10, 1971

The Mercantile Bank of Canada

Chairman & Director July 12, 1967

No longer Chairman as of January 10, 1974

Resigned as Director September 12, 1974

First National City Bank Foundation

Director, President and Member of Executive Committee March 19, 1968

Director & Chairman as of March 16, 1971

Foundation terminated June 21, 1976