In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 802 The Americans' Fierce Reaction!
The plane sped through the clouds toward the Americas.

Inside the cabin, Lin Haoran closed his eyes to rest.

As for Li Guowei, he was still studying the materials, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed.

While in Hong Kong, Hengsheng Group had already obtained a wealth of information through its investigation of Citibank.

These materials, when bound together, became a thick book, numbering in the hundreds of pages.

As one of the most globalized banks, this international financial giant, founded in 1812, clearly has a much richer history than Huifeng Bank, a century-old Hong Kong bank.

Li Guowei was immersed in the long history of Citibank, as if he had traveled through time and returned to the turbulent era of 1812.

He could almost see the founders of Citibank in their humble office, having a heated discussion about the bank's future development.
We have witnessed how banks have struggled through successive economic crises, yet remained steadfast and resilient.
We witnessed how it gradually developed from a small local bank into a global financial giant, influencing the direction of the world economy.

"Boss, the history of Citibank is simply an epic saga." Perhaps tired of reading, Li Guowei put down the documents and said to Lin Haoran with some emotion.

"It has gone through countless challenges and opportunities to achieve its current glory. Although our Hengsheng Group has already established a certain foundation in Hong Kong and even Asia and can be considered an Asian financial giant, we still have a long way to go compared with international giants like Citibank."

Lin Haoran nodded slightly, gazing at the white clouds outside the airplane window, lost in thought.

Then, he turned around and said to Li Guowei with a smile, "Mr. Li, you are right, but we should not be afraid of the gap, but regard it as a driving force for progress."

Citibank's success story is worth learning from, especially its global perspective and risk management capabilities.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Uncle He has praised your talent to me many times, and believes that you are the best candidate to succeed him in taking charge of Hengsheng Group. I completely trust his judgment."

My decision to appoint you as an executive director at Citibank is not only to represent my interests at Citibank, but also to allow you to learn from the operational wisdom of top international banks and lay a solid foundation for taking over the reins of Hengsheng Group in the future.

Make the most of this opportunity. Not only should you familiarize yourself with Citibank's operating model and learn how it thoroughly internationalizes banking, but you should also build your own network of contacts. When you return after your studies, Hengsheng Group will undoubtedly usher in a new era of development.

Li Guowei nodded solemnly: "I understand the boss's good intentions, and I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"very good."

Lin Haoran looked out the window at the clouds that flashed by and continued, "I believe that in the near future, Hengsheng Group will definitely be able to occupy a place on the world financial stage."

"By the way, boss, while I was at the Japanese branch of Huifeng Bank, I received a message from Chairman He that Mr. Walter Riston, Chairman of Citibank, will personally come to the airport to pick us up," Li Guowei reported on another matter.

A knowing glint flashed in Lin Haoran's eyes: "Yes, I understand."

"It seems that Mr. Riston attaches great importance to this meeting with you, or rather, he attaches great importance to you as the newly appointed 'core decision-maker'," Li Guowei analyzed.

Lin Haoran smiled slightly: "When someone offers a gift, they must have something in mind. Walter Riston wants to use high-level courtesy to set the tone for cooperation and, incidentally, appease any potential internal dissent. We need to be prepared; the battlefield will be right after we land."

More than ten hours later, the plane successfully arrived over New York and then landed smoothly at JFK International Airport.

When the hatch opened and Lin Haoran led everyone down the gangway, the scene before them was truly eye-catching.

A welcoming team of nearly ten core executives, led by Citibank Chairman Walter Riston, was prominently featured, with John Reid, who will take the helm of Citibank in the future, standing beside Riston with a smile on his face.

A row of black Cadillac luxury cars waited quietly to the side, while security personnel in black suits stood solemnly, forming a tight human wall to keep out the few media reporters who had come after hearing the news.

“Mr. Lin, welcome back to New York!” Riston stepped forward, extended his hand warmly, and said in a loud voice, “On behalf of the Board of Directors and all employees of Citibank, I extend my warmest welcome to you!”

"Chairman Riston, you're too kind." Lin Haoran shook hands firmly with him, his smile polite, and exchanged greetings with John Reed and the others behind Riston.

The flashbulbs went off immediately, capturing this historic moment as the head of Citibank personally greeted such a young Chinese major shareholder.

However, Lin Haoran keenly sensed that beneath this enthusiasm lay an undercurrent.

He noticed that the formulaic smiles on the faces of several senior executives were slightly stiff, and their eyes held scrutiny and curiosity rather than genuine enthusiasm.

What caught his attention even more was that not far from the airport exit, there were several seemingly ordinary Chevrolet sedans parked with tinted windows, but the people inside were acting very differently from ordinary people picking up passengers; they looked more like official observers.

"The FBI? Or the Treasury Department?" Lin Haoran's mind raced, but he remained outwardly calm.

The U.S. government has indeed maintained a high level of vigilance regarding this transaction, which involves a core area of ​​finance, even if it is just an executive director position.

It is conceivable that if he were to actually spend a large sum of money to operate Haifeng Bank, he would face even stricter scrutiny and resistance.

Therefore, passing on the hot potato that was Haifeng Bank to Citibank in exchange for more favorable terms was clearly a very wise decision.

Walter Ristol and Lin Haoran rode together in the extended Lincoln Town Car on their way to a hotel in Lower Manhattan.

"Mr. Lin, our cooperation this time is of epoch-making significance."

Walter Riston started by saying, "Citibank has always upheld the principles of openness and globalization, and your joining us is the best embodiment of this principle."

We firmly believe that your vision and experience will inject new vitality into Citigroup's global strategy.

Lin Haoran nodded and smiled, responding with ease: "I admire Citibank's boldness. The wave of globalization is irreversible, and only by joining forces can we lead the future."

I look forward to working with Mr. Walter Riston and the excellent team at Citigroup to expand into larger markets.

The conversation between the two proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere, but the subtle wit and probing in their words could only be understood by the parties involved.

That evening, Lin Haoran checked into the familiar Marriott Hotel.

This was his second time staying at this luxury hotel next to the Citibank headquarters building.

This is his fourth visit to New York since 1979.

The first time was in June 1979, when I stayed at the Hilton Hotel on Wall Street.

In December 1979, he returned to New York and stayed at the Marriott Hotel where he is currently staying.

His third visit to New York was in December 1980. The reason for his trip was Apple's IPO, and he stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Times Square.

Now, back in New York and staying at this familiar Marriott Hotel, Lin Haoran couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

In just over two years, he transformed from a young businessman who needed to personally seek opportunities on Wall Street into a major shareholder who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the chairman of Citibank.

This change in identity was something even he found somewhat unbelievable.

Guo Xiaohan accompanied Lin Haoran to the United States for the first time as Mrs. Lin. Her every move showed a mix of nervousness and excitement.

She carefully took Lin Haoran's arm, her bright eyes curiously surveying the hotel's luxurious lobby, while always being mindful of maintaining proper etiquette.

After settling his luggage, Li Guowei went to the living room to report to Lin Haoran: "Boss, Mr. Riston's secretary just called to confirm that a formal board appointment ceremony will be held at Citibank headquarters at 9:00 AM tomorrow, followed by a special board meeting. This is the agenda."

Lin Haoran took the document and quickly scanned it, his gaze lingering on a few topics: "It seems tomorrow will be another complicated meeting."

Mr. Li, please prepare yourself; you will be attending the meeting as my special assistant.

“Understood.” Li Guowei solemnly replied, “I have compiled Citibank’s recent key business data and performance in various regional markets, which I can provide for your reference at any time.”

Lin Haoran nodded in satisfaction and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

New York City is ablaze with lights at night, and the Citibank Tower next door stands out prominently in the darkness.

He knew that tomorrow's meeting would be his first step into the inner circle of Wall Street, and a crucial test of whether he could gain a foothold in this fertile ground of finance.

"Get some rest. We need to be in top form for the Citibank board meeting tomorrow," Lin Haoran said, turning to Li Guowei.

After Li Guowei left, Guo Xiaohan asked softly, "Brother Haoran, what do I need to prepare for tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran laughed and said, "No need, you can just come along and broaden your horizons."

In fact, Guo Xiaohan, as Guo Henian's niece, had also studied business management with her uncle for two years, and had seen almost everything in the world.

Guo Xiaohan smiled slightly upon hearing this.

As Guo Henian's niece, she grew up in a business family and has been learning corporate management from her uncle for the past two years, so she has indeed seen all kinds of situations.

However, attending such an important international occasion as Lin Haoran's wife made her particularly concerned about her performance.

“I understand,” she replied softly, gracefully adjusting her skirt. “But this time is different. This is the first time I’m attending such an important occasion as your wife, and I’m a little excited.”

Lin Haoran looked at her poised demeanor with appreciation and said gently, "Just maintain your usual composure. The wives of these people on Wall Street are nothing more than ordinary people dressed in glamorous clothes."

Before they knew it, the night had passed. The next morning, around 8 a.m., in the magnificent press conference hall of the Citibank headquarters building.

All eyes in the United States are on this.

CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Associated Press...

Several television stations had already set up their live broadcast equipment, pointing it at the central stage of the press conference.

Almost all the mainstream media logos were present, with cameras and microphones pointed at the podium. The atmosphere was solemn and enthusiastic, yet it also concealed a lurking undercurrent of doubt.

The press conference was hosted by Citigroup CEO Walter Riston.

He began by reviewing Citibank's illustrious history and outlining its strategic plans for the future. Then, he got to the main point.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is a day that will go down in Citibank's history." Riston's steady voice carried throughout the hall through the microphone, "We are very pleased to announce that, following a transaction with Huifeng Bank and its parent company Hengsheng Group, SITC Bank has officially become a part of Citibank."

In the presence of their respective legal teams, Lin Haoran and Walter Riston signed the equity transfer documents.

Staff then displayed an enlarged, symbolic "check" showing the initial cash payment of $1.5 million.

In addition, the certificate representing 3% of Citibank's shares was also handed over to Lin Haoran.

In an instant, flashes of light poured down like a galaxy, almost engulfing the people on stage.

Then, Walter Riston dropped a real bombshell: "Based on Mr. Lin Haoran's outstanding business achievements and profound insights into the global financial market, and with the unanimous approval of the Citibank Board of Directors."

He paused, looked around the room to make sure everyone's attention was focused, and then continued, "We are honored to invite Mr. Lin Haoran to serve as a Resident Executive Director of Citibank, to be deeply involved in Citibank's core global decision-making!"

The keywords "resident executive director" and "core decision-making power" were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating huge waves on the scene!
The reporters were in an uproar, whispering amongst themselves.

This has absolutely made history.

Who would have thought that a Chinese American, and not a U.S. citizen, would become an executive director of Citibank?
Although the deal was already known to the public more than ten days ago, it was just a news item from Hong Kong, and the specific details had not been fully confirmed.

Now, the official announcement at Citibank headquarters has undoubtedly confirmed the news, and its impact is no less than the initial disclosure.

The staff solemnly presented him with a specially made board member plaque inlaid with the Citibank logo and Lin Haoran's English name, along with his appointment certificate.

Walter Riston and Lin Haoran stood up again, holding nameplates, and shook hands for a photo in front of the camera.

This moment was broadcast live to the entire world.

Next, Walter Riston handed the stage over to Lin Haoran.

He adjusted the microphone, his gaze calmly sweeping over the reporters with their varied expressions, and then spoke fluent, standard British English: "Thank you, Chairman Walter Ristol, and thank you to the Citibank Board of Directors for your trust."

Standing here, I feel deeply honored, and also aware of the responsibility on my shoulders.

Lin Haoran is a familiar face to the American media.

For example, when Apple went public, Lin Haoran, as an angel investor, invested ten million US dollars, and in less than a year, the stock market value rose to more than two hundred million US dollars.

At the time, the Financial Times even named Lin Haoran the best investor of the year in 1980.

When global mobile communications were officially commercialized, Lin Haoran also became one of the main subjects of reports in the American media.

When Lin Haoran defeated Jardine Matheson and acquired Hongkong Land Group, it was reported by many American business media outlets.

Therefore, in the eyes of these media reporters, Lin Haoran is by no means an unfamiliar young man, but a business prodigy who has already made a name for himself in the international business world.

"Citibank is a name with a glorious history. It is the pride of the American financial industry and a giant in the global banking industry. It is a great honor for me to join such a great institution."

“Some people think that my involvement is a form of ‘interference’.” Lin Haoran paused slightly, then smiled calmly, “But I believe it is more of a ‘co-construction’.”

What I bring is not just the perspective of a specific market; I hope to become a link between both sides of the Pacific Ocean, and even between emerging markets and mature financial systems around the world.

My subsidiary, Hengsheng Group, may not be familiar to everyone. Its network and resources in the Asia-Pacific region and even Europe, combined with Citibank's unparalleled global platform, are expected to enable efficient capital and business liquidity globally, opening up unprecedented growth opportunities for Citibank.

"I've heard some voices asking, how can a Chinese person become a core decision-maker at Citibank?" Lin Haoran's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

These words immediately made the reporters present hold their breath, and everyone sensed that the next answer would be crucial.

Just as Lin Haoran said, this was indeed the thought in the hearts of many people present.

After all, Citibank has been a giant in the American financial world for over a century.

The fact that this financial giant has now been compromised by a Chinese person has undoubtedly touched a nerve with some people.

This feeling was exactly the same as what those British conglomerates thought when he wanted to acquire Jardine Matheson.

"I want to say that in our era, the flow of capital and wisdom has long transcended national borders. Under the wave of globalization, nationality should not become a barrier to the cooperation between talent and capital. On the contrary, it should become a source of providing diverse perspectives and unique solutions."

Citibank's decision today precisely demonstrates its extraordinary courage and strategic vision as a truly future-oriented global bank—it chose capability, vision, and the future, not merely nationality on a passport!

These remarks elevated the personal appointment to the level of a "symbol of globalization," prompting deep reflection among the journalists in the audience.

"I hereby solemnly pledge that I will abide by the articles of association and values ​​of Citibank, and fulfill my responsibilities with the principle of maximizing the interests of all shareholders in mind."

I look forward to leveraging my experience and resources accumulated in the Asia-Pacific region and other areas to help Citigroup reach new heights in its expansion into emerging markets, innovation in cross-border business, and optimization of global risk management.

Lin Haoran's speech was logically clear and had a grand vision, showing both respect for tradition and foresight for the future.

More importantly, he calmly and skillfully defused the most sensitive issue of nationality, transforming it into a reflection of Citibank's strategic vision.

Soon, the press conference moved to the Q&A session, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

A Wall Street Journal reporter launched the first attack with sharp questions, representing typical concerns of the "American pride."

"Mr. Lin, you emphasize globalization, but do you acknowledge that your non-US citizenship may influence your judgment in certain future financial decisions involving US national security or core interests?"
Furthermore, does Citigroup's move, to some extent, signify a dilution of American dominance in the global financial arena?

The entire venue fell silent instantly, and all the cameras were pointed at Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran was already prepared for this kind of question.

He remained calm and replied, "Sir, first of all, in my understanding, as a director of Citibank, any judgment I make is based solely on one core principle, which is the long-term maximization of business logic and the interests of all Citibank shareholders."

Citibank is first and foremost a global bank for investors and clients, and only secondarily a U.S. bank. My initial intention and purpose in joining is to enhance Citibank's competitiveness and profitability in the global market, which of course includes the U.S. market.

The notion of 'diluting' dominance is inaccurate; it's more like 'enhancement,' making our shared platform stronger.

Another reporter pressed on: "Mr. Lin, how do you personally balance the potential conflict of interest between your Hengsheng Group and Citibank?"

Lin Haoran smiled calmly, displaying a great sense of perspective: "This is a good question. I need to make one thing clear: Hengsheng is Hengsheng, and Citibank is Citibank."

As an executive director of Citibank, my legal duties and loyalty belong entirely to Citibank and all its shareholders.

Of course, I believe there is ample room for strategic cooperation between Hengsheng and Citibank in the future. This cooperation is based on principles of fairness and shared interests, and is by no means a zero-sum game.

His response was impeccable, his demeanor composed, and his logic clear, causing many reporters who initially came with skepticism to begin to show appreciation and thoughtfulness in their eyes.

This press conference was broadcast live across the United States by television stations such as CBS, ABC, and NBC.

This press conference was like a bomb dropped into American society, causing a huge shock and heated discussion across the country.

In a coffee shop in New York's financial district, several young traders and analysts sit around a television.

"My God, a young Chinese man in his early twenties is on Citigroup's core board of directors? Has Riston gone mad? Has Citigroup gone mad?" an analyst wearing glasses exclaimed incredulously.

In the Midwest, in the living room of a typical white family, during lunchtime, a news report is playing on television.

The father frowned and put down his fork: "Letting a Chinese person into the core of our Citibank? That's too risky! Who knows if he's..."

The son, who was in college, was unimpressed: "Dad, what era are we living in? This is called globalization! The news said that he can help Citibank make more money and expand into the Asian market."

If Citigroup's stock price surges because of this, wouldn't your retirement account and my tuition fees be covered?

(End of this chapter)