Legal Head for the Caribbean & Central America Cluster, and Senior Counsel of Banking & International | Citibank
Esteban Mancuso
Legal Head for the Caribbean & Central America Cluster, and Senior Counsel of Banking & International | Citibank
Legal Team size: The Caribbean and Central America Legal team has 16 members
What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?
In my role as Legal Head for Caribbean and Central America
This was an exceptional year for our Citi legal teams on a firm-wide basis and across the entire Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada region. We continued to grow in strength, purpose and cohesion, once again demonstrating that when we work together, we deliver outstanding results. This year our team in the Caribbean and Central America advised on landmark transactions throughout the region, such as the financing of the Metro 3 line in Panama. With an on-the-ground presence in multiple jurisdictions, our senior lawyers lead by example – combining sound judgment, deep regulatory credibility and crisis-tested decision-making in managing legal, regulatory and reputational risk.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, our lawyers navigated complex and evolving challenges, adapting swiftly to a shifting landscape to deliver exceptional outcomes to our clients while meeting regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions. We provided top-tier legal counsel in managing sophisticated cross-border legal, regulatory and reputational risks, serving as trusted advisors to our boards and senior management. We advanced towards the completion of risk-mitigating transactions as part of our strategic refocus and made significant progress on reshaping Citi’s leadership position in the region. For example, our team advised on the establishment of a new Citi presence in Guyana.
From the outset of the year, we set clear priorities, strengthened communication, deepened collaboration across geographies, and maintained a strong focus on talent. We performed at a consistently high level across businesses and regions, even amid highly complex operating environments.
In my role as Senior Counsel for Banking and International
Citi’s legal teams performed strongly across the world, and I was deeply involved in transactions and risk mitigation efforts in multiple jurisdictions. Our international footprint presented our team with many challenges, including in jurisdictions such as Russia and Ukraine. Also this year, Citi announced the establishment of a new regional presence in Saudi Arabia and many high-profile transactions. For example, our lawyers in Banking and International Legal were involved in the formation of a $USD25 billion private credit direct lending programme with Apollo – one of the largest of its kind – expanding financing options for clients while generating meaningful revenue for the firm. Our banking lawyers also advised on a landmark global strategic partnership with BlackRock, covering approximately $80 billion in client assets. Overall, these accomplishments reflect the strength and depth of our globally connected legal team – and our continued commitment to delivering on Citi’s strategic priorities across regions.
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organization’s resilience?
As we position our legal departments as strategic enablers of business opportunities, regulatory expectations for our industry continue to evolve, markets remain in flux, and the geopolitical environment is increasingly complex. In response, across Citi and within our Caribbean and Central America team we have drawn deeply on the strength of our international talent, the experience and judgment of our senior lawyers, and the diverse global perspectives that distinguish our legal organisation. We played a central role by partnering across the firm to support a series of complex, cross-jurisdictional transactions that sharpened and advanced Citi’s strategic focus and allowed us to maintain cross-border consistency and excellence.
This was a year of challenge and opportunity – one that ultimately left our team stronger. Our most significant accomplishments in dealing with instability were driven by seamless collaboration – Citi lawyers across regions and areas of specialisation working together as a ‘One Legal’ team. We are part of an extraordinary legal team in Latin America, where we collaborate and coordinate on our legal strategies across our team and global partners. This collaboration is also a key strategic priority in my role as Senior Counsel for Banking and International Legal, where I have the privilege of working closely with superb lawyers across the world. Throughout the year, we demonstrated resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for our clients and for the firm. We will continue to build on this foundation. We closed the year stronger, more connected and exceptionally well positioned to support our clients worldwide in a rapidly changing environment.
AI has taken seriously as a potentially revolutionary technological change in the legal world for a number of years now. Has it had a meaningful impact in how your legal team works in this time?
No conversation in 2026 is complete without recognising the central role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Over the past year, our Banking and International legal team has delivered strategic guidance supporting the global deployment of Citi’s enterprise AI tools, enabling innovation at scale while maintaining rigorous standards of excellence. In parallel, within the Caribbean and Central America we have continued to execute a multi-year technology roadmap focused on modernising platforms, strengthening controls, and simplifying processes. Technology and AI are not simply priorities for the future – they are integral to how we operate today and how we will compete tomorrow.
AI is already materially enhancing what we deliver to clients, driving greater results, expanding capabilities, and improving overall services. These advances strengthen our competitive position and will enable us to continue winning going forward. Our innovative thinking and ongoing investment in technology enable our clients to operate seamlessly across borders and time zones. Beyond AI, initiatives such as the integration of Citi Token Services with 24/7 capabilities are embedding Citi and our clients more deeply into the fabric of global commerce. We will continue to embrace innovation and advancements in AI to re-engineer and simplify processes, elevate client delivery, and remain a preeminent, agile player in an increasingly dynamic environment.
What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?
Talent development is at the front and centre of Citi’s strategy for our lawyers in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. I am committed to contributing to this endeavour by leading high-performing teams and developing our talent. Our lawyers in the Caribbean and Central America and in the Banking and International Legal teams are routinely involved in complex, high-stakes matters that shape the economies of the countries in which we operate. I am passionate about taking an active role in building teams that are prepared to meet these challenges – teams that are connected, dedicated to excellence, and equipped with the right mindset to operate in demanding and uncertain environments. The strategy for the Latin American, Caribbean and Canadian legal teams is to prepare lawyers to deliver at the highest levels of performance and integrity.
Beyond strengthening technical expertise and legal judgement, our teams are equally committed to creating meaningful impact in the communities where Citi has a presence. In the Caribbean and Central America, we collaborate with NGOs, universities and law firms to advance education and entrepreneurial growth. Notable initiatives over the past several years include the Crece tu Empresa programme, which has empowered more than 50 young entrepreneurs across five Central American countries, and our mentorship of talent in the Caribbean to enhance their opportunities. These efforts reflect our broader commitment to social progress and to developing the next generation of leaders.
I am privileged to work alongside colleagues who are widely recognised as industry leaders and who play an integral role in Citi’s global legal network, collaborating seamlessly across countries and time zones. Lawyers from Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic have been recognised by the GC Powerlist as leading practitioners – an acknowledgement that underscores our dedication to excellence, our ability to respond to the region’s unique needs, and our firm’s strategy. I am passionate about contributing to the development of well-rounded professionals who can navigate evolving challenges with agility and sustain our leadership in the Caribbean and Central America, across Latin America and Canada, and beyond.
Central America and Caribbean Sub-Cluster Legal Head and Senior Counsel for Banking & International Legal | Citibank
Managing director, deputy general counsel | Citibank