Citigroup named winner in Global Finance Magazine's Awards for 'World's Best Internet Bank 2006'

The four awards were won in the following categories:

- Bahrain: Best Consumer Internet Bank
- Egypt: Best Consumer Internet Bank
- Egypt: Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank
- Middle East and Africa: Best Web Site Design

Global Finance is an international finance magazine with a circulation in over 158 countries. The magazine covers a wide spectrum of subjects including corporate financing, capital markets, monetary policies, banking operations and risk management. Global winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in New York in November.

According to Global Finance, "Winning banks were selected based on the following criteria: strength of strategy for attracting and servicing online customers, success in getting clients to use web offerings, growth of online customers, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from internet initiatives and web site design and functionality."

Mr. Robert Law, Pakistan, Middle East and Africa Division Head for Citibank said:

'For the second year in a row, Citibank wins Global Finance's World's Best Consumer Bank Award in Bahrain and Egypt, a clear recognition of our Internet banking platform in both markets. Receiving awards from respected industry observers gives us great pleasure and motivates us to keep working to deliver to consumers the best proposition in the market, including most convenient and secure online services that help them better manage their financial lives."

Citigroup has been at the forefront of developing Internet-based delivery capabilities for both retail customers (Citibank Online) and corporate clients (CitiDirect) in the Middle East, in addition to other B2B e-commerce initiatives that provide clients with full procurement solutions.

By using Citibank Online (CBOL), customers can perform a variety of regular banking transactions, such as checking balances or downloading account activity statements. Moreover, customers can transfer funds worldwide, pay utility bills, redeem reward points, order cheque books or subscribe to a number of value added services, round-the-clock and, anywhere in the world.

Citigroup has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and currently offers consumer banking services in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Citibank, the consumer banking arm of Citigroup, is expanding its operations in all three countries.