Citibank launches the Emirates-Citibank MasterCard FIFA credit card

The co-branded card offers card-holders the chance to attend live matches. All approved applicants will get two entries into the May 15th 2006 draw to win one of 35 all-expenses-paid packages, which include air-tickets, hotel accommodation and tickets to the matches. For every AED 50 spent, a card-holder will receive an additional entry.*

In addition, FIFA offers card-holders exclusive discounts at leading Sports stores, satellite channels broadcasting the matches, and selective restaurants and sports lounges.

The Emirates-Citibank credit card comes with automatic membership to Skywards - the frequent flyer programme of Emirates and SriLankan Airlines. For every US dollar spent using the credit card, card-holders earn one Skywards Mile which they can exchange for free flights on Emirates, SriLankan and partner airlines, flight upgrades, global recognition and acceptance, travel privileges with Skywards, in addition to all the powerful features and world-class benefits of a Citibank credit card.

Brian LaBelle, Skywards' Vice President, said: "Skywards is proud to reaffirm its partnership with Citibank for the Emirates-Citibank Mastercard FIFA co-branded credit card, which will give Skywards members interested in football an added incentive to use the card and have the great opportunity of cheering on their nation's team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany."

"At Citibank, we are as passionate about customer service as our valued customers in the UAE are about football. The Emirates-Citibank MasterCard FIFA credit card helps consumers with a passion for football enjoy their hobby and rewards them every time they use it with benefits to enhance their experience of the game," said Rajeev Kakar, Regional Head for Citibank's Consumer Bank in Turkey, Middle East & Africa, who is based in UAE. "We value our strategic alliance with Emirates which enables us to offer this service to customers and is one of the leading brands in the UAE and the region, and the airline of choice for our UAE-based customers."

Most recently, readers of UAE Digest magazine, nominated the Emirates Citibank co-branded card "Best All-round Card", while in 2004 the card won the Credit Card of the Year Award from the GCC Banking Awards 2004 programme run by Banker Middle East magazine.

Citibank's consumer offer provides tailor-made banking solutions to a diverse clientele. During the past 24 months, the bank introduced the pioneering 8-8 branch hours, personal loan and auto loan products, Investment as well as Insurance services, and Wealth Management plans. The bank is currently a major player in the UAE's credit card market and a leading provider of consumer credit services.