In an apparent tit-for-tat in corporate headhunting, Citigroup Taiwan may recruit a top banker from Chinatrust Financial Holding Co (中信銀金控), which previously enticed 20 senior staff members from the US-based bank, including its former country officer, Eric Chen (陳聖德).
Citigroup yesterday refused to comment on the possible recruitment of Morris Li (
But Chinatrust Financial confirmed that Li submitted his resignation on Wednesday and "is determined to leave Chinatrust."
"Based on his own career plan, Li will leave alone without taking any team members with him," said Lin Shiaw-pin (
After failing to persuade Li to stay, Lin said that Chinatrust Financial Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Koo (辜濂松) approved his resignation effective next Monday.
"Chinatrust hopes to keep a cooperative relationship with Li no matter which bank he works for in the future," Lin said.
Refusing to reveal whether he has decided to jump ship to Citigroup, Li later told the Taipei Times that "I will finalize my decision next week."
Li said that his resignation has nothing to do with Chen's move to Chinatrust. Chen previously served as Li's boss at Citibank.
"It's a decision based on professional considerations," Li said without elaborating.
Li, 47, had been employed at the Citigroup for over 12 years and was recruited by then Chinatrust President Jeffrey Koo, Jr. (
Local media speculated that Li's move may represent a sense of resentment Chinatrust staff since the bank hired new blood from Citigroup to assume major positions while longtime employees were neglected.
But both Li and Chinatrust denied the speculation.
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