Hong Kong – Citi Asia Pacific was a big winner in this year's Global Finance magazine's annual World's Best Internet Banks, hauling a total of 26 awards across the corporate/ institutional and consumer banks categories.

The award assesses banks' capabilities in consumer and corporate/institutional internet banking across countries and service/process categories.

In the category of best corporate/institutional internet bank, Citi won in 15 out of 16 Asian markets. Four markets – Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka – received their first wins this year.

At the regional level, Citi was named Best Trade Finance Services, Best in Mobile Banking and Best Web Site Design.

Of the 14 consumer markets in the region, Citi won in seven for Best Consumer Internet Bank on a country level. These markets included Australia, Guam, Indonesia, India, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. Citi was also lauded for Best Information Security in Asia Pacific.

"One of Citi's strategic priorities is to be the world's leading digital bank offering a comprehensive suite of internet and mobile services that deliver greater convenience and flexible access for our customers," said Citi CEO Asia Pacific Stephen Bird. "This important recognition underlines the progress we are making and we will continue to invest in new technology and innovate further to support our customers' needs."

Winning banks were selected based on the strength of their strategy in attracting and servicing online customers, success in getting them to use web offerings, the growth of online customers, breadth of product offerings, and web site design and functionality.

This is the first round of winners for the ‘World's Best Internet Banks' which Global Finance magazine has conducted for the 12th consecutive year. Winners were chosen among entries evaluated by a panel of independent judges, with Global Finance editors responsible for the final selection of winners.

Winners of Regional and Global winners will be announced in November during the Award Ceremony in New York City and published in December's issue of Global Finance .