Citigroup has appointed Jean-Baptiste Charlet, a longtime Morgan Stanley executive, to lead its operations in France as the U.S. banking group strengthens its senior leadership in the country.
The appointment was announced by Citi on Monday, August 10, 2026. Charlet will take on the formal role of Citi Country Officer & Banking Head, France, giving him responsibility for the bank’s French business.
Charlet joins Citi after spending more than three decades at Morgan Stanley, where he built extensive experience across the French and broader European financial markets. His move represents a significant senior-level hire for Citi as the bank continues to develop its corporate and investment banking activities in key European markets.
In a statement, Citi highlighted Charlet’s experience and longstanding connections with clients across the region. The bank said he brings “exceptional leadership, deep client relationships” along with a strong record in originating and executing transactions across the French and European markets.
Charlet’s professional background includes more than 30 years at Morgan Stanley, giving him substantial experience in advising clients and executing financial transactions. His career at the U.S. investment bank also provided him with a deep understanding of the French market and its corporate and financial sectors.
His appointment adds a senior executive with established industry relationships to Citi’s French operations. Strong client connections are particularly important in corporate and investment banking, where banks compete for advisory mandates, financing opportunities and other financial transactions involving major companies and institutions.
Before entering a career in banking, Charlet also spent a year serving in the French Navy. He later graduated from **HEC Paris**, one of France’s leading business schools. His education and varied professional background have contributed to a career spanning major international financial markets.
Citi’s decision to bring Charlet into the leadership of its French business comes as global banks continue to compete for experienced executives with strong local market knowledge. France is an important financial center in Europe, and maintaining relationships with businesses and institutional clients is a key part of the strategy of major international banks operating there.
For Citi, Charlet’s experience at Morgan Stanley provides familiarity with both French and European markets. His track record in origination and execution is also directly relevant to the bank’s investment and corporate banking activities.
The move also illustrates the continued movement of senior talent between major global financial institutions. Executives with decades of experience and established client networks can play an important role in helping banks expand their presence and strengthen relationships in competitive markets.
Charlet will now oversee Citi’s French operation in his new capacity as Country Officer & Banking Head. The appointment places him in a senior position within Citi’s France business and gives the bank the benefit of his extensive experience in the European financial sector.
The announcement was made in Paris on August 10. Citi did not provide further details about changes to its French strategy in connection with the appointment.
The hiring brings to an end Charlet’s more than 30-year career at Morgan Stanley and marks a new chapter for the veteran banker as he takes charge of Citi’s operations in France.
