Statement from Citibank N.A., UAE

Mohammed Al-Shroogi, Managing Director for the Middle East and Chief Executive Officer for Citi in the UAE, said:

"Citibank N.A, UAE is a branch of Citibank N.A and has been licensed in the United Arab Emirates since 1964. We remain the bank of choice for millions of depositors worldwide, evident in a strong deposit base (approximately $780bn at the end of the third quarter) diversified across products and regions, with more than two thirds of it outside the U.S. including UAE."

"Our universal banking business model has been proven to be robust and has certainly won the approval of major investors," continued Mr. Al-Shroogi. "Over the past 15 months, Citi has added $75bn in new capital: $50bn through public and private offerings and $25bn from the U.S. government's TARP program. As a result, Citi maintans a very strong capital and liquidity position and a unique global franchise, including a growing Middle Eastern franchise."

Citi has been in the Arab World for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

Recently, the bank strengthened its regional coverage through key treasury, equity and investment banking appointments in Dubai. It has relocated a global co-head of investment banking to Dubai, and expanded debt markets business in Dubai by transferring from London its co-head of Europe, Middle East and African capital markets to oversee businesses including M&A, leverage and project finance.