Mumbai: Citi India's Global Consumer Group today announced the three key senior executive appointments effective 10 March 2008.

T R Ramachandran, head, retail bank, Citibank N A, India: A career Citibanker, Ramachandran, joined the bank in 1989, and has been one of the founding members of Citi's global consumer group in India.

Said to be one of the leading architects of the cards industry in India, he has built a track record of achievements across a wide variety of assignments and has worked in several geographical areas in key leadership positions including consumer finance, auto loans, personal loans, community banking, and as the business head for mortgages and personal loan over the last two decades.

In his new role, Ramachandran will lead all of Citibank's retail initiatives as we branch out in semi-urban and rural areas and introduce new business models across segments and products to cater to the evolving needs of Indian customers.

Rahul Soota, managing director, CitiFinancial Consumer Finance India Ltd: Head of retail banking since November 2005, Rahul Soota, moves as managing director of Citifinancial Consumer Finance India Ltd.

Soota joined the bank as a management associate in 1992 and has worked across a wide gamut of businesses and functions. As the head of retail banking, Soota is credited with major growth of the business and positioning Citibank as the preferred provider for premium banking services and wealth management.

In his new role, he will provide leadership to Citifinancial, which is central to Citi's India strategy to serve the emerging middle class across all life stages.

Sandeep Soni, head, new strategic initiatives for alliances and partnerships: Currently managing director of Citifinancial Consumer Finance India Ltd, Soni moves to manage Citi's alliances and partnerships from a pan consumer bank perspective.

Soni has been a founding member of Citifinancial, having joined the company in January 1998. A stalwart in the consumer finance industry, he is said to have played a key role in making CitiFinancial the largest NBFC in the country with "the widest distribution network and the largest product suite". Under his leadership, the Asian Banker awarded the 'best non banking financial institution' to CitiFinancial in 2007.

In his new role, Soni will lead Citi's initiatives to expand distribution in newer domains and through newer channels.