The Citigroup Inc (Citi) logo is seen at the SIBOS banking and financial conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 19, 2017. Picture taken October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Citigroup said on Wednesday it has promoted 276 employees to managing director roles in 2025, the smallest class in five years.

The Wall Street firm announces managing director promotions every year, the highest officer title at the bank.

The new MDs come from 21 countries, with nearly 49% of them from North America. Women accounted for about 28% of the class.

Citi's markets unit led this year's promotions with the bank elevating 55 employees to MD as well as 45 in the banking division.

In October, the markets business reported a record third quarter, with revenue jumping 15% to $5.6 billion.

Citi shares have rallied more than 50% so far this year, outperforming a broader index tracking large-cap banks.

Last year, Citi had promoted 344, 304 in 2023, 331 in 2022 and 306 in 2021.

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)