Former Citibank PH country manager confident with Citi’s choice of UnionBank

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Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. (InLife) Executive Chairman Nina D. Aguas, first female regional audit director in Citibank as well as the first woman country manager in Citibank Philippines, shares her excitement after Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Citigroup Inc. (Citi) to acquire Citi’s consumer banking business in the country. Together with the Aboitiz and SSS, Insular Life Assurance is a key shareholder in UnionBank.

Citi started in the Philippines in July 1902 when the International Banking Corporation, forerunner of Citibank, established a branch in Manila. Today, Citi Philippines is the largest foreign bank in the country in terms of customers, assets, and revenues.

Citi Philippines is an acknowledged leader in consumer banking owing to its enviable track record for innovation and customer service. It offers a full range of world-class banking products and services, including credit cards and Citigold Wealth Management.

“Citi Philippines was the first consumer banking business established by technology pioneer and visionary John Reed in Asia. It is one of Citi’s crown jewels in Asia, so bequeathing this business to UnionBank says a lot about how much confidence and trust Citi’s management has for the new owner” said Aguas, one of Forbes Asia’s 25 most influential persons in 2020.

In a text message to her fellow former Citibankers, Aguas also assures her fellow Citi Alums that UnionBank will continue to build on the successes of Citi. The legacy, the culture of professionalism, innovation and impact to the community lives on. Quite a number of former Citibankers hold Board and Senior Executive positions in UnionBank

Prior to being InLife’s executive chairman, Aguas was Citigroup Inc.’s Managing Director for Corporate Center Compliance in New York; Country Business Manager of Global Consumer Group in the Philippines; Head of Sales & Distribution of Global Consumer Group in the Philippines; and Regional Audit Director of Asia Pacific. Aguas is Citibank’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni for Leadership & Ingenuity.

Citi strengthens partnership with Land Bank with cross border payment solutions

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Citi, through Citibank Europe PLC, has signed an agreement with Land Bank of the Philippines to be the exclusive payment service provider for cross border solutions via Citi’s WorldLink® Payment Services. The partnership enables Land Bank to extend their payment service networks to include over 40 currencies, allowing the government-owned bank to deliver funds to beneficiaries around the globe in the currency that they need.

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed (3rd from right) celebrates the partnership with a handshake with Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Alex Buenaventura (3rd from left). They are joined by (L-R): Treasury and Trade Solutions country head Arlene Nethercott, Land Bank Treasury and Investment Banking Sector head Carel Halog, Citi ASEAN Treasury and Trade Solutions head Debopama Sen and Corporate and Investment Banking head Vikram Singh.

The partnership was commemorated last November 8 by representatives of Citi and Land Bank of the Philippines, led by Land Bank president and CEO Alex Buenaventura, Land Bank Treasury and Investment Banking Sector head Carel Halog, Citi Philippines

CEO and country officer Aftab Ahmed, Citi ASEAN Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) head Debopama Sen, Treasury and Trade Solutions country head Arlene Nethercott, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) head Vikram Singh, and CIB Public Sector head Aesha Pabillon.

At the event, Citi and Land Bank recognized the importance of the partnership and potential for the platform to drive improved operational efficiency through cost savings for Land Bank and other government agencies.

“Through this partnership and with the use of WorldLink®, we hope our government agencies will be more efficient, transparent and provide better service to Filipinos here and overseas,” said Land Bank president and CEO Alex Buenaventura.

According to Citi’s ASEAN TTS head Debopama Sen, “We value this partnership with Land Bank and the opportunity to showcase Citi’s comprehensive range of digitally enabled treasury, trade and liquidity management solutions.”

WorldLink®, Citi’s leading cross-border payments solution is used by over 1,200 financial institutions globally, to efficiently make payments in more than 130 currencies and 195 countries. WorldLink® offers an unparalleled solution delivering cost efficiencies, automation, consistent reporting, robust security, and compliance with evolving and complex regulatory requirements.

Level up your wardrobe with Citi PayLite

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Now is the perfect time to upgrade your wardrobe as Citi and ZALORA keep you in style. 

Get ZALORA e-Gift Cards when you shop at 0% Citi PayLite until October 31, 2018. E-Gift cards may be redeemed until January 1, 2019. 

For a minimum single-receipt PayLite spend of P10,000 at any Citi PayLite enabled partner-merchant, you get a P500 ZALORA e-Gift Card. You can also get a P1,000 ZALORA e-Gift Card for every minimum single-receipt PayLite spend of P25,000. 

Citi credit cardholders who qualify will receive a claim code via email. To make sure your email address is updated, visit www.citibank.com.ph/myprofile. 

Once you have received the ZALORA e-Gift Card Code, launch the ZALORA app on your smartphone and log in to your account. Tap the ZALORA wallet on the left panel and enter the e-Gift Card code. Your e-Gift Card will be credited automatically to your account. 

Hurry and avail of Citi PayLite to get your ZALORA e-Gift Card. 

To know more about this exciting offer, visit www.citibank.com.ph/paylite.

Citi sees continued growth opportunities in Asia

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Global fund managers turn to the region in the face of volatility and uncertainty

Citi remains bullish about the growth prospects in Asia, as global investors turn to the region in the face of volatility in Europe and North America and general uncertainty in the markets. 

Citi shared key investment trends and macroeconomic views during the Citi Investor Conference 2018 at the Citi Plaza building in Taguig.  

“Global fund managers are looking carefully at Asia, and China is a big part of that,” said Julia Raiskin, head of Investor Sales, Asia Pacific, at Citi. “Interest in the region is partly due to the inclusion of 200 large cap Chinese stocks in the MSCI, as well as the opening of the China Bond Connect.”

(L-R) Citi Investor Sales Asia Pacific head Julia Raiskin, Citi Philippines Country Treasurer and Global Markets and Securities Services head Paul Favila and Citi Asia Pacific Economic and Market Analysis head Johanna Chua

According to Raiskin, global fund managers are investing in equities and fixed income as top choices, with local currency bonds becoming increasingly attractive. “Investors are looking into more liquid markets – Hong Kong, Australia and, gradually, ASEAN,” she said. “Intra-Asia flows are also increasing with key corridors flowing from China, Japan and Korea to ASEAN.”

Citi notes that intra-Asia trade corridors have the potential to pick up slack from China and U.S. supply chains that may be threatened. 

“This region represents a much bigger opportunity as it is currently under-penetrated,” said Johanna Chua, head of Asia Pacific Economic Analysis at“Citi. Industries are well developed, but the long-term savings industry and asset management is not. So we’re seeing bigger allocations towards Asia from fund managers.” 

Philippine equities are underweight in Citi’s global equity allocation due to broad-based, cyclical upswings and the performance of other economies, explained Chua. But recent data has been good, given increased government spending and the peso stabilizing. “There’s a lot of traction growth,” Chua said. “The growth story is there.”

To spur further growth, Citi says the key is more foreign direct investments. “We need more FDI. The Philippines is still conservative with regards to foreign financing,” Chua said.

Infrastructure is seen as a key growth driver, especially the government’s ongoing ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Additional growth drivers include services exports such as tourism, manufacturing with preferential tax treatments, and agricultural development and energy.

“As the contracts of the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) expire in 2020, power and energy will potentially be huge growth drivers for the Philippine economy,” said Paul A. Favila, head of Markets and Securities Services. 

Overall, Citi explained that last year was a good year for everybody and moving forward, 2018 is progressing well. “There are a lot of good things going for the Philippines,” said Chua. “It’s one of the only economies without any fuel subsidies and domestic demand story in the Philippines has traction, especially on the investment side.”

Citi’s GDP growth projection for the Philippine economy is 6.9% in 2018.

Cardless ATM withdrawals now possible with Citi

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Citibank, the country’s leading global bank, continues to pursue innovation in order to enhance the banking experience of their customers. Cardless ATM withdrawals from debit accounts are now possible in all Citibank ATMs.

You don’t have to visit a Citibank branch and do tedious over-the-counter withdrawals when you forget your Citibank Debit Card and are in immediate need of cash. With the cardless cash withdrawal facility, you may simply set up a cardless cash withdrawal in Citibank Online or your Citi Mobile App, with a One-Time PIN (OTP) sent via SMS. Then, proceed to the nearest Citibank ATM, where you will receive a second OTP which you need to input before you get your cash.  This new feature of Citibank ATMs is free of charge and can also minimize fraud and ATM skimming.

Experience secure cardless cash withdrawals with the latest ATM feature from Citi.

 For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph.

Swipe for summer treats with Citi

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Beat the summer heat with the refreshing and cool Swipe for a Treat promo from Citi, the country’s leading global bank. 

This latest offer from Citi, open to all principal and supplementary cardholders, lets you earn eGift vouchers that you can use in over 15 partner merchants across the country until July 15, 2018. 

“Summer in the Philippines is a very special time,” said Manoj Varma, Citi Philippines consumer business head. “To make the summer experience more enjoyable for our cardholders, Citi is offering exciting treats through our ‘Swipe for a Treat’ promo. We hope that our customers enjoy the selection of cool treats for their summer adventure.”

To avail of the promo, register an account with winwithciti.com with the unique password sent by Citi, and make a qualifying minimum single-receipt purchase of at least P3,000 using your Citi card. You can also earn the free treats by using the 0% Citi Paylite for purchases, payable for up to three months. 

Redeem your eGift vouchers on the promo website two days after the posted transaction. You can use the eGifts at merchants such as Krispy Kreme, Mrs. Fields, Foodee Global Concept restaurants, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, ChaTime, Bruno’s Barbers, Happy Skin, Plains and Prints, Bioessence, Watch Republic, Planet Sports, Silicon Valley, Digital Walker, Ideal Vision and Lay Bare. Each cardholder can redeem up to 30 eGifts. 

Swipe now and get these summer treats from Citi. For more details on this promo, you may visit www.citibank.com.ph/treats.  

Cathay Pacific-Citi Summer Sale is still on!

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Enjoy unbelievably affordable travel deals only from Citi and Cathay Pacific, from April 23 to May 1, 2018!

The Cathay Pacific-Citi Summer Sale—with exclusive travel deals—is now on from April 23 up to May 1, 2018!

If you were unable to drop by the Cathay Pacific-Citi Summer Sale last weekend at the Shangri-La Plaza, Grand Atrium, Main Wing, you can still book exclusive low fares with your Citi Credit Card! Travel to Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Maldives, South Africa, select locales in Europe including London, Paris, and Amsterdam; select areas in the East and West coast including Boston, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco; and select destinations in Southeast Asia including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore!

Take advantage of fares for as low as USD 530 to the US, USD 106 to Hong Kong, USD 562 to London, and USD 424 to Australia!

Plus, enjoy 0% Citi PayLite for 3 months when you book via the participating travel agencies!

Conveniently book online at http://bit.ly/cathaysummersale or visit the Cathay Pacific ticketing office at the 22F LKG Tower, 6801 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. You can also call the Cathay Global Contact Center: 1800 1441 1011 (PLDT/Smart) or 1800 8739 5117 (Globe), or book through the following participating travel agencies:

• Adventure Travel*: (632) 884 9491
• Ark Travel Express Inc.: (632) 816 1999
• Baron Travel Corp.: (632) 817 4926
• Horizon Travel & Tours, Inc.: 310-2308
• Pan Pacific Travel: 02-243-6666-81
• Rajah Travel Corporation: (632) 894 0886

*Adventure Travel accepts straight transactions only.

Travel period is until December 15, 2018. Fares are exclusive of PH tax, government taxes and other surcharges. Fares are subject to change due to currency conversion rate; and all flights are via Hong Kong. Booking of discounted fares will depend on the customer’s chosen dates.

Truly with your Citi credit card, you can experience more of the world with these great travel deals!

For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph/cxsummersale.

Citibank Cash Deposit Machines now accepting USD cash deposits

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Deposit US dollar notes to your Citibank Philippines USD account real-time without standing in line and rushing to beat the bank’s cut-off time. Effective March, Citi offers a new dollar deposit functionality in its Cash Deposit machines with the service now available 24/7.

For the first time in the Philippines, Citi clients may now deposit dollar bills to their Citibank Philippines USD account in all three branches, Makati, Greenhills and Cebu; and ATM Centers in Binondo, Alabang and Libis. Citibank cash deposit machines will accept denominations from $1 to $100 and up to $9,000/day.

Commenting on the new service, Citi Philippines Retail Banking head Rene Aguirre said, “USD cash deposit via Citibank Cash Deposit machine is fast and is a more convenient option for our customers to make deposits to their Citibank Philippines accounts. This improved service reflects our commitment to stay relevant to our customers changing needs”.

Apart from cash deposit to credit or savings accounts and cash payment to credit card, ready credit, loans or bills, this machine can also accommodate other functionalities such as cash withdrawal, funds transfer, statement request or checkbook order to security pin change and viewing of account details.

By making it possible to make cash dollar deposits through its cash deposit machines, Citi has made basic banking transactions even easier and more convenient.

For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph. 

New year, new car with GoWithCiti

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Make your dream of acquiring a brand new car come true at the start of 2018 by joining Citi’s GoWithCiti promo. Drive home one of three BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer MPVs or be one of the ten winners of a luxury watch worth P250,000 from Lucerne!

“We always want to make it more fun and exciting for our clients. With the GoWithCiti campaign, we look forward to seeing our clients enjoy our products and services, as well as the perks and amazing prizes that we prepared for them,” said Vishal Kadian, Acting Head of Cards and Loans, Citibank, N.A Philippines.

Simply use your Citi credit card until January 31, 2018 to earn raffle entries. Each swipe earns you one raffle entry so the more you swipe, the more chances you have of winning. There’s no minimum spend required!

Winners will be drawn on February 14, 2018, and will be notified via phone or email. They can claim their prizes at Citibank Square by presenting the official notification letter from Citi, card used for the winning transaction, two valid IDs and valid TIN ID. 

Plus, register at www.winwithciti.com to earn even more raffle entries and win over 100,000 instant prizes. Simply create an account using any active email address and your unique log-in password and earn play codes every time you swipe your Citi credit card. Each play code can win you Nike Park, Vikings, Bistro Group, Bruno’s Barbers or Mrs. Fields eGIFTs, an e-voucher from ZALORA, UBER credits for P50 off on your next 2 rides, and a 3-month subscription at IFlix. If no instant prize is won, you will get ten additional raffle entries for the raffle.

To redeem your instant prizes, just go to the My Rewards page on your www.winwithciti.com account for detailed instructions. 

Start the year right and win amazing prizes. GoWithCiti now!

For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph/bmw.