Markets Media spoke with Vandana Bhatter, Head of FX Corporate Sales for Asia, Citi, who won Excellence in FX at the 2025 Women in Finance Asia Awards.

What does this award mean to you, and how does it reflect your journey at Citi?

I am thrilled and also deeply humbled to receive this award for Excellence in FX. The recognition is a reflection of the incredible people I have worked with throughout my career journey and it truly belongs to the team I am fortunate to lead. Their talent, trust and collaboration have shaped our success and this milestone is a shared one! I’ve also been lucky to have managers throughout my career at Citi who’ve not only supported me but actively championed my growth. Their influence has significantly shaped my leadership journey, and I’m thankful for everyone who have helped me get here.

What are some of the most significant trends or shifts you’ve observed in FX markets recently, and how has your team adapted?

We are now operating in a world that’s more connected and yet more complex. Digital acceleration, geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility have been shaping how clients think about risk management. But one of the most exciting recent developments is the rise of generative AI which is changing how we access information and insights, how we engage with clients and also drive productivity on both sides.

My team has adapted by staying close to our clients and being solution orientated. We are actively exploring how Gen AI tools can help us deliver faster and personalized insights while also freeing up time for deeper in-person client engagement. Being curious, adaptable and innovative is what will help us stay ahead.

Client relationships are central to your role. How do you build and sustain trust in a market where volatility and uncertainty are constant?

In our business, trust is built over time but tested during times of volatility and uncertainty. Today’s clients want more than just execution. They want a partner who brings perspective, steadiness, consistency and who can help them anticipate what’s coming next. That idea of seeing around corners has stayed with me after attending a course by Prof Rita McGrath at Columbia Business School. Her thinking and her book “Seeing around corners” offered valuable insights on how to navigate inflection points; something highly relevant to the environment we and our clients operate in.

One thing I see clients consistently value is our ability to share not just market views but what others in similar positions are doing. Our presence, which is not just broad, but also deeply embedded in markets globally, allows us to collect and share those insights meaningfully.  This helps clients make informed decisions in an ever changing landscape. That’s the foundation of lasting trust.

What are some unique challenges and opportunities you encounter when managing FX sales across Asia-Pacific?

Asia Pacific’s diversity makes managing FX sales both exciting and complex. Markets here vary widely in regulation, culture, client needs and digital maturity. A key opportunity lies in the region’s rapid tech adoption where clients now expect financial services to be a seamless part of their increasingly digital businesses. As the market leaders for FX, we must constantly look for ways to improve, not just to differentiate from competitors but to be the best possible partners for our diverse set of clients. At the same time, FX in APAC is shaped by geopolitics, and evolving regulations requiring our teams to stay agile and well informed. Leading across such varied markets means finding the right balance between local relevance and regional alignment while maintaining global consistency. 

What leadership principles guide you in managing high-performance teams in a demanding environment?

In today’s fast paced world of ‘Liberation days’ and where attention spans are measured in seconds, leadership in FX needs to cut through the noise. Volatility is part of our DNA in FX. But even when markets are unpredictable, leadership shouldn’t be. Todays teams are younger, sharper and juggling more information than ever. Long emails don’t work! Clear priorities, consistency, fast feedback and shared purpose do. My goal is to create an environment where people feel energized not overwhelmed and I focus on giving people space, to lead from the front, and stepping in only when needed. The best results come when people feel empowered not managed.

Outside the fast-paced world of FX, how do you stay balanced and energized? 

Balance for me is about being intentional. I have learned that being present is powerful. Whether I am at home or in a meeting, being fully present makes a big difference in staying balanced. And I stay energized by spending time with family when I am not travelling and also carving out moments for quiet reflection – however short they may be. I have a 7 year old son so there is never a dull moment. He keeps me grounded, curious and currently he is better than me at chess, which I am trying not to take personally. I am still working on beating him but in the meantime he’s helping me feel comfortable in constantly pushing my boundaries. In truth, staying energized comes from being around people who inspire you and I am lucky to have plenty of them at home and at work.