BlackRock struck a deal with Citigroup to manage about $80 billion in assets for the bank's wealth management clients, Citi said on Thursday. The move highlights a growing trend among big banks to partner with specialist asset managers while refocusing wealth businesses on client advice and financial planning. Clients currently overseen by Citi Investment Management (CIM) will continue to work with their Citi private bankers for wealth advice, asset allocation and strategy selection. BlackRock will manage and implement those strategies, and Citi will roll out BlackRock’s Aladdin Wealth platform to its private bankers and investment professionals.