Date of Birth: August 3, 1919
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: January 19, 2005
Biography
Walter Bigelow Wriston was a prominent American banker and businessman, best known for his leadership at Citicorp, the holding company for Citibank, during his tenure as CEO from 1967 to 1984. Born into a family with a strong educational background, his father, Henry Wriston, was president of Brown University. This environment instilled in him the values of education and leadership early on. Wriston joined Citibank in 1946, where he quickly rose through the ranks. He was a visionary who foresaw the globalization of finance and the importance of technology in banking. Under his leadership, Citibank pioneered the use of ATMs, credit card networks, and international banking operations. His tenure saw Citibank become one of the largest and most influential financial institutions in the world. He retired in 1984 but continued to be an influential voice in the financial world, writing books and essays on banking and economic policy until his death in 2005.
5 Interesting Facts about Walter Wriston
1. Walter Wriston was instrumental in the creation of the Certificate of Deposit (CD), which revolutionized banking and savings.
2. He was a strong advocate for deregulation in the banking industry, believing it would lead to more innovation and growth.
3. Wriston received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the highest civilian award in the United States.
4. He was a prolific writer and authored several books, including “Risk and Other Four-Letter Words” and “The Twilight of Sovereignty.”
5. Wriston served on the boards of several major corporations and was a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Walter Wriston
1. “Capital goes where it’s welcome and stays where it’s well treated.”
2. “Information about money has become almost as important as money itself.”
3. “The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow.”
4. “Risk is a part of God’s game, alike for men and nations.”
5. “The most important thing for a banker is character. The bank can deal with almost anything else.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Walter Wriston’s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.
Children
Walter Wriston had no children. He was married to Barbara Brengle Wriston, and they remained together until his death.
Relevant Links
1. [Walter Wriston – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Wriston
3. [Presidential Medal of Freedom](https://www.citibank.com/citi/about/leaders/wriston_medal.htm
