(Dec 11): Citigroup Inc has cut about five analyst jobs inside a small team dedicated to producing environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related and climate reports, according to people familiar with the development.

The analysts, who worked within Citi’s Global Perspectives and Solutions unit, left the bank at the end of last week, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing information that Citigroup hasn’t made public. Among the departures is Jason Channell, the head of sustainable finance for Citi Global Insights, the people said.

The analysts had published reports on topics such as climate, renewable energy, biodiversity and carbon markets. Citigroup, which still employs analysts in other departments that focus on ESG, didn’t charge clients for the research produced by the analysts whose jobs were cut. Other researchers that focused on separate topics were also let go.

Channell didn’t respond to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for Citigroup said the bank is committed to supporting its clients “in their sustainability journeys”, and to reaching the firm’s own net-zero and sustainable financing goals, while declining to comment on personnel matters.

Citigroup is still working on a January pledge to cut about 20,000 jobs globally, or about 8% of its workforce. To date, it has eliminated roughly 11,000 positions. The bank has vowed to increase profitability and restore investor confidence, after years of lagging behind its major US banking peers. That has led it to focus on streamlining operations, and on improving data and technology.

At the same time, Wall Street is figuring out how to navigate a second term with Donald Trump as the US president and a newly emboldened Republican Party that’s already stepped up its attacks on ESG financial strategies.

Trump has promised to wind back green subsidies, and to reduce the scope of environmental protections as part of a programme of sweeping deregulation. His Nov 5 election win has prompted ESG industry analysts to predict that a considerably more hostile political environment awaits. A day after the election, Jefferies Financial Group Inc published a note warning “all ESG fund managers to have a lawyer on the team, or on speed dial”.

Since then, the GOP has grown more litigious. Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led a move to sue BlackRock Inc, Vanguard Group Inc and State Street Corp for allegedly breaching antitrust laws by using climate-friendly investment strategies to suppress the supply of coal.

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee