# Driss Temsamani

Driss R. Temsamani (Arabic: إدريس التمسماني; born 1966) is a Moroccan-American banker, author, and public speaker specializing in digital transformation, financial technology, and diaspora advocacy.
He began his career at Citigroup in 1995 and is currently a Managing Director, serving as the Americas Head of Digital. In this role, he oversees digital banking services across the Americas.
Temsamani is recognized for his collaboration with central banks and regulators, shaping digital policy, financial inclusion, digital assets, Blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. His expertise in digital transformation has positioned him as a thought leader in global financial policy discussions.

## Citigroup career

Driss held several roles with Citi in Product management and Operations and was CIO for the e-Commerce division based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Temsamani started his Citigroup career as a Senior Consultant in 1995 coming from Telemundo TV Network where he held the position of Operations Director from 1993 to 1995. Prior to that, he worked for Globe Magazine and Worldcare International Insurance.
Temsamani then became Director of Strategic Planning at Citigroup where he was responsible for Marketing and Business Planning.

## Membership and organizations

Driss Temsamani is actively involved in various organizations supporting entrepreneurship, education, and technological innovation. He serves on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement Americas.
Beyond his board roles, Temsamani is a member of the U.S. State Department's Global Entrepreneurship Program, which fosters global innovation and economic growth. He is also involved in the Aspen Institute's Partners for a New Beginning, an initiative focused on strengthening economic and social collaboration between the United States and North African countries.

## Diaspora advocacy

Driss Temsamani is involved with the Moroccan American community on a broad range of social and advocacy topics.
Back in 2003, Temsamani co-founded the Morocco Foundation. A year later, he founded and became President of SOS Morocco.
Temsamani has been president and Board Director of the Moroccan American Coalition since 2008. Later in 2009, he founded the Moroccan Americans for Fritchey Movement.
Driss is also the Founder and President of the 361 Degrees Institute, a Moroccan American think-tank for Demographic Research & Development based in the United States. In 2012, Temsamani founded the Maghreb Growth Foundation.

## Authorship and lecturing

Temsamani writes about a broad range of topics. In 2004, he was one of the first Moroccan Americans to publish a book in the United States along with Laila Lalami. His book Rewind, a drama story of the human spirit's struggle to find happiness while away from home, was released in 2005.
As a marketing strategist, Temsamani has participated in many industry conferences lecturing about and promoting the theories of "DNA Marketing" and the "Art of Marketing". His specialities include the concepts of diversity marketing and emotional experience.

## Awards and recognition

Driss Temsamani has received multiple awards for his contributions to digital banking, financial innovation, and marketing. He is the recipient of The Jerry Goldenberg First place award for direct marketing in 2002 and The Strathmore Who's Who Leadership Millennium Award in 2000. He was named Visionary of the Year by Compaq in 1999.

### Citi Digital Banking Awards

Under Temsamani’s leadership, Citi has received numerous awards across Latin and North America, recognizing its advancements in digital banking and technology. In 2022, Citi was named the World’s Best Digital Bank by Global Finance Magazine, marking the 22nd consecutive year of recognition.
The following year, Citi was awarded by The Banker’s Innovation in Digital Banking Awards and Technology Projects of the Year Awards, which highlight advancements in banking technology and digital innovation.
In 2024, Citi was named the World’s Best Digital Bank by Euromoney for the second time in three years, recognizing its continued investment in digital banking innovation.
In March 2025, Temsamani was awarded the Golden Prize (Premio de Oro) in the category "Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies" in his capacity as Americas Head of Digital Citi - Treasury and Trade Solutions.

## Personal life

Temsamani was born in Tangier. He is the grandson of Rifians, General Driss Riffi Temsamani who was named Pasha of the Rif Republic in 1926 then Asila, Larache and Tetuan.
Driss emigrated to the United States in 1986. Years later, Temsamani enrolled himself in business studies. He is a holder of an MBA from Ohio State University, an Executive MBA in Industrial marketing from IAE Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires, Argentina and an Executive Leadership from Harvard.
He is currently based in Miami, Florida where he lives with his wife.