Milovanovic will join from Goldman Sachs Group, where he was co-head of M&A for the financial institutions group (FIG) in the Americas, said the memo, the contents of which were confirmed by a Citigroup spokesperson.

"Steve's experience, judgment and client relationships will further strengthen Citi's strategic advisory capabilities," the memo said, noting that Milovanovic will be based in New York.

Milovanovic, who has also worked at Credit Suisse Group in his banking career, has more than 20 years of dealmaking experience, with a focus on financial services.

(Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York; Writing by David French; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)