Citibank Orders Remote Work in Paris, Berlin Amid Terror Threats

PARIS — Citibank ordered employees at its offices in Paris and Berlin to work remotely Wednesday following specific terrorist threats targeting American financial institutions in the French capital. The directive, issued early Wednesday morning, affects staff across both locations as the bank implements heightened security protocols.

The move comes after intelligence warnings regarding potential attacks on U.S. banking facilities in Paris. Bank officials stated the decision was a precautionary measure to ensure employee safety while maintaining operational continuity. The remote work order remains in effect indefinitely until further notice.

Citibank did not specify the nature or origin of the threats in public statements. French authorities have not confirmed any specific plot but have increased security presence around major financial districts in Paris. The Interior Ministry has raised the national terror alert level in recent weeks, citing credible intelligence regarding potential attacks on symbolic targets.

Berlin offices, while not the primary target of the reported threats, were included in the remote work order as part of a coordinated security response. Citibank Germany stated that all non-essential staff should remain at home and that critical operations would be managed through secure remote channels.

The bank has not reported any incidents at its Paris or Berlin locations. Security personnel have been deployed to both sites, and access has been restricted to essential personnel only. Citibank is coordinating closely with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies in both countries.

American banks operating in Europe have faced periodic security concerns in recent years, though no successful attacks on U.S. financial institutions in Paris have been recorded in the past decade. The current situation marks the most significant security response by a major American bank in the region since 2015.

Citibank has not indicated whether other European offices will be affected. The bank's headquarters in New York has not commented on the situation beyond confirming the remote work directive for Paris and Berlin staff.

Employees in both cities have been instructed to avoid public transportation and to report any suspicious activity immediately. The bank has activated its emergency communication systems to maintain contact with staff and clients.

The duration of the remote work order remains unclear. Citibank stated it would reassess the situation daily in consultation with security experts and government officials. No timeline has been provided for a return to normal operations.

French and German authorities have not issued public statements specifically addressing the Citibank situation. However, both nations have maintained heightened security measures across their financial sectors in recent months.

The incident has raised questions about the broader security posture of American financial institutions operating in Europe. Industry analysts suggest that similar precautionary measures could be adopted by other banks if the threat level escalates.

Citibank has not confirmed whether any specific individuals or groups are behind the threats. The bank stated it is cooperating fully with all relevant authorities and will provide updates as more information becomes available.