Citigroup is taking steps to more easily allow shareholders to nominate directors at the bank, a spokesman said, joining a group of US companies that have moved to open up their corporate elections this year.

Citigroup plans to support a nonbinding "proxy access" resolution allowing groups of shareholders to advance nominees to the company's board, provided the candidates' backers own at least 3% of Citigroup's shares for at least three years. Shareholders will vote on the resolution at the firm's annual meeting in April.