Citibank Philippines Introduces the ABCs of Credit for First-Time Credit Card Holders

Citibank
Citibank is a member of Citigroup, the leading global financial services company which has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citigroup’s trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, and Banamex. Additional information may be found at: www.citigroup.com.


	Printer Friendly Page		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) November 13, 2006 Citibank Philippines Introduces the ABCs of Credit for First-Time Credit Card Holders Manila – The smart use of a credit card and the basics of credit are promoted in the new "ABCs of Credit" financial education campaign introduced by Citibank Philippines. Targeting young professionals and first-time credit card holders, the campaign is timely given the upcoming holiday season and the rising number of card applications in the country said, Ms. Bea Tan, Citibank’s Cards Business Director. "More and more young professionals in the Philippines are utilizing the benefits and perks offered by a credit card including added payment security and greater financial flexibility options. In fact, getting a credit card ranks high in their personal must-have lists today." She added, "Having their own credit card signals they are ready to take charge of their finances. However, while it is an amazing time of change, many are unsure about ‘best practices’ when it comes to using credit cards. So, to help them manage and spend responsibly, we (Citibank) have taken the initiative and developed and launched this ABCs of Credit. "And to make it attractive and easy to understand, we've used ‘youth-friendly’ language and incorporated everyday payment examples in the program collateral. Through the program we want to reinforce the message that while having a credit card signals independence, it's more important to be a responsible card user and to spend within your means," said Ms. Tan. The ABC checklist includes: A for Advantages – A Citibank credit card can be used in more than a hundred countries and in over 29 million establishments! B for Budgeting – this is one cool tool for saving for the rainy days! C for Credit Limit – Take note of this before I go spending. D for Discounts – With my Citibank card, I can get discounts @stores here and abroad! E for Electronic – Look out for e-mails, text blasts and other e-info. F for Fees – Avoid late fees by meeting my dues on time. G for Good Credit – Maintain this to continue enjoying the privileges of my Citibank card. H for Hotline? – Call 24-hour CitiPhone for my credit card inquires. I for Interest charges – I might get this if I don’t pay my total amount due. "Learning how to choose and use a card is an important first step for anyone. Of course, there’s more to it than just A to Z but this is a good starting point," noted Ms. Tan. As well as an ABC of Credit welcome pack or brochures, first-time Citibank credit card holders can also logon to Citibank's Use Credit Wisely web site www.usecreditwisely.citibank.com.ph, which has comprehensive credit information available in English and in Filipino. # # # Citibank Citibank is a member of Citigroup, the leading global financial services company which has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citigroup’s trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, and Banamex. Additional information may be found at: www.citigroup.com.