Citibank & ABS CBN Bayan Foundation Launch Finance Guide for Women Microentrepreneurs

Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, 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. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation supports organizations that help people improve their lives, businesses to grow, and communities to prosper around the world. The Citi Foundation focuses its grants primarily in three areas: financial education, educating the next generation, and building communities and entrepreneurs. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com.


	Printer Friendly Page		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) October 31, 2007 Citibank & ABS CBN Bayan Foundation Launch Finance Guide for Women Microentrepreneurs Manila – Female microentrepreneurs took center stage at the recent launch of "Pagpaparami sa Pera Mo," a 36-page Citi Foundation-sponsored personal finance guidebook. Designed to help female microentrepreneurs better manage their finances, Mr. Mark Jones, Citibank Philippines Country Business Manager, said the book extends Citi's support and promotion of financial education. "'Pagpaparami sa Pera Mo' is a Filipino-language version of our successful 'Make More Money' publication which was launched in October 2006." Mr. Jones added, "Citibank is strongly committed to financial education, and we are trying to reach a wider audience with the publication of this book. I am proud of what this book represents and through it we are trying to address everyday money management issues that impact families and communities across the board." The female microentrepreneurs who attended the book launch expressed their thanks to Citibank and program collaborators, Working Mom magazine and the ABS CBN Bayan Foundation (one of the largest microfinance organizations in the Philippines). Many of the microentrepreneurs are ABS CBN Foundation clients. One of the attending microentrepreneurs, Virginia Parra, shared some of her experiences and spoke of the need to improve her financial management skills. "I began by running a small variety store for my neighborhood selling many things including canned goods, food and sodas. As I grew my business and gained more access to credit, I bought two cars and leased them as taxis, which were driven by some members of my family," said Virginia. "While we are progressing, we are still only making enough to ensure that we have food on the table and that my children can continue their schooling. I know improved financial knowledge will help me to make a bigger difference and I'm hopeful that this book will support this." In the case of Leonie Benavidez, her passion for cooking prompted her to start a small canteen business. She secured a working permit with Ayala Heights, an upscale residential village, and set up a modest stall next to a construction site which grew to become a small business. "I always thought that you needed to make more money to provide for the family. With this book however, I am also learning to make the most of what I have and to make it stretch and grow," said Leonie. Mr. Jones noted, "In all our initiatives we drive home the message that a secure financial future does not happen by accident. It needs planning, work and commitment. With this book we hope to help more women like Virginia and Leonie to get started and grow their respective businesses." The new translated book continues a partnership between Citibank and Working Mom magazine that began with the 2006 launch of the "Make More Money." The book was distributed in Working Mom magazine and handed out at personal finance seminars co-hosted by representatives from the magazine and Citibank. # # # Citi Citi, the leading global financial services company, 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. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com. Citi Foundation The Citi Foundation supports organizations that help people improve their lives, businesses to grow, and communities to prosper around the world. The Citi Foundation focuses its grants primarily in three areas: financial education, educating the next generation, and building communities and entrepreneurs. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com.