Citibank Partners with DWS Investments to Offer First Agribusiness Fund in Belgium

Citibank has signed a cooperation agreement with DWS Investments, one of Europe’s main investment fund managers. In the 1990’s, Citibank launched “Open Architecture.” In order to offer investors a quality choice in terms of investment, Citibank has opted for impartiality. Its customers can choose from a range of funds (Citichoice*), promoted by other institutions that are composed on a basis of independent, impartial and objective criteria. Today, Citibank is extending its range of investment funds with the funds of DWS Investments.

Vincent Deschamps, Investment Portfolio Manager of Citibank Belgium, explained: “The absolute priority at Citibank is geared towards consolidating our relations with our customers and in offering them investment solutions that meet their expectations. This is why Citibank is always prepared to work with partners that enjoy an international reputation on the basis of tried and tested services. This new partnership with DWS Investments ideally complements our impartiality with regard to investment advice and allows us to enhance even further the quality of our investment offer while positioning Citibank as a principal open architecture protagonist in Belgium.”

Christophe De Wilde, Sales Director of DWS Investments Belgium, said: “Collaboration with Citibank is an important strategic stage for DWS Investments. Because of it, the number of Belgian partners in terms of investment funds is again increased and the retail investor can access not only specific themed funds such as for example the DWS Invest Global Agribusiness Fund, unique of its kind, but also other remarkably successful DWS funds. This is enabling us to extend the investment portfolio even further.”

For Citibank, one of the most innovative funds is the DWS Invest Global Agribusiness Fund. This fund is the first of its kind and invests in all the segments of the “consumer production” chain via companies listed on stock markets throughout the entire world. These companies are involved in various forms of agribusiness, going from arable land and plantations, seeds and manure, the manufacture of sowing and harvesting machinery to crop protection, water and irrigation, aquaculture, bio-fuels, the marketing and sale of agricultural and food produce, and climatic services.

Agribusiness constitutes one of the most exciting investment opportunities for many years. The worldwide demographic explosion, the rising income levels in the developing countries, the reduction in available arable land and global warming have been the fundamentals of agribusiness for many years. In response to this challenge, DWS Investments has launched a new fund enabling investors to participate in this global trend. Citibank will be the first to offer this fund in the Belgian market

*Citichoice is based on independent investment product evaluation made by Standard & Poor’s Fund Services. A team of 60 professional analysts examines and awards scores to 1,100 funds in Europe. Citi analysts make a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the funds selected by S&P.