Citi joins NATO initiative to mobilise private capital for defence production, industrial resilience and military technology across allied economies

Citi has joined NATO’s new Call to Action to support the mobilisation of private capital for defence production, industrial resilience and military technology across allied economies. The bank said the initiative is intended to increase financing for companies developing and manufacturing technologies considered essential for NATO deterrence and defence.

The announcement followed NATO’s summit in Ankara last week, where member states faced the challenge of raising defence spending while ensuring industry can convert budget commitments into military capability. The initiative calls on banks, investors and other capital providers to expand financing for the defence industrial base.

“A strong and resilient Europe is in all our interests. Citi is proud to support NATO’s Call to Action and help mobilize the capital and financial expertise needed to strengthen the Alliance’s security for the long term.” said Nacho Gutiérrez Orrantia, Citi Europe CEO.

Citi said the initiative reflects the need to connect higher defence budgets with industrial capacity. The bank said private finance will be important in helping companies scale production, strengthen resilience and support innovation.

“The argument behind the NATO initiative is simple, higher defence budgets matter only if industry can deliver. We know that that capital formation will be essential to turning allied rearmament into real capability,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Global Head of Public Sector Group, Citi.

The bank works with sovereign clients, ministries of defence and NATO-aligned governments on procurement, financing, payments and liquidity flows. It also works with defence companies seeking capital to expand production and support the delivery of military technologies.

Citi said it remains the only global bank with a continued presence in Ukraine. The bank said it has supported the Ukrainian government, public-sector institutions and the country’s emerging defence ecosystem since Russia’s invasion.

The bank has also developed a transparent payment mechanism to support the delivery of defence equipment to Ukraine. Citi said the structure includes controlled disbursements and governance around donor-funded procurement, and could be scaled for wider Ukraine reconstruction.

“The challenge for governments is turning defence priorities into executable programmes,” said Georgi Yordanov, Citi’s lead on Defence for Public Sector in Europe. “This is a strategic effort to bridge the gap between national security needs and private sector finance. This requires financing, payment infrastructure and risk-management tools that can support procurement at scale and help connect sovereign demand with industrial capacity.”

Citi describes itself as a banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a personal bank in the United States. The bank operates in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing financial products and services to corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals.