It's Me, Gracee: Citi Philippines

Shared Service Centers to play a key role in Digital Banking

Citi Monday, August 21, 2017

Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed (3rd from left), Corporate Banking Head Vikram Singh (2nd from left), and Treasury and Trade Solutions Head Arlene Nethercott (2nd from the right), with forum speakers (L-R) Steffanus Widjaja, Swati Mitra, and Narayan Kannan.

The country’s largest foreign bank recently presented groundbreaking digital solutions to clients during its Citi Shared Services Center Forum for 2017.

“Our goal is to be the world’s leading digital bank and deliver a remarkable banking experience to our clients across retail and institutional banking. Rapid disruption is happening and as a bank, we want to make sure that we stay relevant to our clients and their needs,” said Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed.

In his welcome remarks, Ahmed added that digitization plays an important role in shaping the future of the Shared Service Centers (SSCs). “The Philippines is home to a growing Citi Service Center that provides a wide range of voice and non-voice services to our global network.”

Swati Mitra, Citi’s Global Sales Leader for Emerging Market Corporate Clients & Digital Client Advisory for Treasury and Trade Solutions echoed this during her keynote presentation. “The key macro trends impacting the shared service centers include globalization, digitization, innovation, regulation, volatility and the banking environment.”

The forum which attracted nearly 100 clients that decision makers from Accounts Payable, Human Resources and Procurement, once again provided a platform for thought leaders to share experiences and best practices in supporting global and regional SSCs.

Cross-Currency Payments Product Sales Narayan Kannan shared how the constant changes in business, tax and the global regulatory landscape are driving modifications in the way organizations manage their foreign exchange payment processes towards delivering efficiency. As part of Citi’s commitment to continue to expand its foreign currency footprint, clients in the Philippines can now transact in more than 130+ currencies as part of their cross border payments.

This is the latest payment innovation and solution Citi developed to strategically be aligned with our customers treasury policy and to improve client’s efficient working capital. eFX Solutions, Corporate Markets and Securities Services Viriginia Yu demonstrated how the CitiFX Pulse online trading platform and Straight through Processing (STP) enable corporate clients to simplify the execution of Treasury flows, improve process and increase the efficiency of their regional and global centers. Finally, Regional Channel Product Manager for Treasury Trade and Solutions Steffanus Widjaja showcased the common modes of connectivity between corporates and their banks, including the latest client trends and e-banking tools to improve SSC efficiencies.

In 2016, Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions processed more than $1.8 trillion globally in client transaction value on CitiDirect BE® Mobile and CitiDirect BE® Tablet. This institutional e-banking platform was ranked #1 in Greenwich Associates' Digital Banking Benchmarking study for the 11th consecutive year.

Citi Philippines’ Treasury and Trade Solutions Country Head Arlene Nethercott credited this to the strong partnership that Citi has with its clients, “This has enabled us to improve the efficiencies on Shared Service Center processing. We are seeing an exciting evolution of the payments landscape in Philippines, which will drive more efficient payment options in the future.”

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Build Your Wealth with Citi Priority

Citi Friday, May 19, 2017

The country’s largest foreign bank unveils latest banking service for emerging affluent

Building one’s wealth doesn’t come by accident. It takes years of planning, commitment and discipline – and no other financial institution understands this more than the country’s largest foreign bank.

Citi, the pioneer and leader in wealth management in the Philippines, recently introduced a new banking service targeted for the emerging affluent dubbed Citi Priority.

This latest innovation from Citi provides clients an entrée to global banking services. With Citi Priority, you can enjoy personalized service and access to a menu of relevant products for your growing portfolio.

According to Aftab Ahmed, CEO for Citi in the Philippines, Citi Priority is designed to support the financial needs and banking preferences of the region’s emerging affluent — one of the fastest growing customer segments in Asia. “With Citi Priority, we are leveraging the experience and expertise we have built as the region’s leading wealth manager. We are making available a suite of personalized services on a digital platform to assist the emerging affluent in their journey of wealth accumulation.”

To start a Citi Priority relationship, clients will need P1 million in total relationship balance, which can be parked across savings and checking accounts and time deposits with the bank.

Why say yes? As a Citi Priority member, you will have a dedicated team of personal bankers to attend to your financial needs. If you travel frequently, you can enjoy free international withdrawals from any Citi ATM abroad and with access to the currency of the country you are in. You can also transfer funds for free to any Citi account worldwide, as much a $25,000 daily.

You could also apply for a Citi Rewards Card and when approved, get 25,000 bonus Rewards Points and waived annual fees. Should you need a Citi Personal Loan, you can count on lower and preferential rates.

You will also gain access to a complete suite of investment and insurance products through Citi affiliate and brokerage arm, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc. (CFSI). You can take advantage of a convenient feature to automatically transfer a portion of your savings to your chosen investment fund product through CFSI and start growing your investment portfolio.

Rene Aguirre, Retail Bank Head for Citi consumer bank, invites the public to sample Citi Priority now and take advantage of welcome gifts from its ongoing promotion.

“New Citi Priority clients can receive as much as P6,000 worth of gift certificates at Beyond the Box if they open on or before June 30, 2017. This is just the cherry on top of the basket of benefits and services that await them as Citi Priority clients,” said Aguirre.

Upon opening a relationship with Citi, clients with funds of 1 to 3 million pesoswill receive P3,000 worth of gift certificates from Beyond the Box, while P6,000 worth of the same goes to clients with funds of 3 million pesos and more!

Learn more about Citi Priority by pointing your browser at www.citibank.com.ph, or calling the Citi Phone Hotline at 995 9999. You may also visit the Citibank branch nearest you.

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Citi Credit Cards and Vikings Gives You the Ultimate Buffet Experience

Citi Wednesday, July 22, 2015

True to its reputation as the leading provider of dining privileges, Citi credit cards celebrate its 25th anniversary of leadership by partnering with Vikings, the country's largest non-hotel buffet restaurant, to reward its loyal customers with the ultimate buffet experience.

From now until September 30, 2015, Citi is giving a 25% discount on daily buffet at select Vikings restaurants when you dine in groups of 5 adults or more and pay using your Citi credit card.

“In line with our 25th anniversary, we’re putting the spotlight on the Filipino’s innate love for enjoying hearty meals with family and loved ones. We can’t think of a better way to reward our cardholders than by treating them to an irresistible offer at one of the country’s most-loved buffet dining destinations,” shares David Stoughton, Credit Payment Products Director for Citi.

Vikings has become synonymous with lavish eat-all-you-can buffet dining experience. Featuring a stylish ambiance with multinational themes, Vikings restaurants feature a wide array of mouth-watering selection of international cuisines from across the globe, especially prepared by a team of world-class chefs. Participating Vikings branches include SM Jazz Mall Makati, SM Marikina, SM City BF Paranaque, and SM Davao.

“It is a privilege to tie up with the country’s leading foreign bank Citi, which shares the same thrust in providing rewarding dining offers to its customers, in the same luxurious manner as we do.This partnership brings a lot of opportunities for us to reach to a wider market and offer our wide variety of delectable dishes from around the globe. Apart from offering great food, we take pride in providing top-of-the-line service and fine ambience, ensuring that every guest is having a delightful experience in our restaurant,” says Vikings Marketing Director Charles Lee.

While dining at Vikings is already an amazing dining experience, Citi has also launched a host of dining, travel and accommodation deals in some of the country’s top hotels and restaurants to ensure that the celebratory mood for its 25th anniversary continues year-round. Here are more irresistible offers:

• Indulge in a 25% off on regular weekday lunch buffet at Four Seasons Hot Pot City, SM Mall of Asia.

• Get 65% off for a 3-day, 2-night stay at Bellevue Resort Bohol for stays until December 19, 2015.

• Grab 50% off for a 3-day, 2-night stay at Discovery Shores Boracay, 60% off for an overnight on Sundays to Thursdays at Discovery Country Suites, 55% discount for an overnight stay during weekends at Discovery Primea, 50% discount for an overnight stay at Discovery Suites, and 50% off for an overnight stay at Club Paradise Palawan, all valid for stays until December 30, 2015.

• Get P2,500 off on your first booking at Airbnb through the Airbnb app or www.airbnb.com/citiph using your Citi card.

• You can also enjoy exclusive discounts at Agoda, as much as 10% on select weekends, through http://agoda.com/Citibankph.

• For that sweet tooth, get 6 free Original Glazed doughnuts at Krispy Kreme when you buy 6 Original Glazed doughnuts using your Citi Rewards points.

With Citi, experience the best of dining, travel and accommodation no other financial partner can offer.

For more information on Citi’s 25th anniversary deals, visit https://www.citibank.com.ph/25years or call the 24-hour CitiPhone Hotline at 995 9999.

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides 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, transaction services, and wealth management.

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Citi Philippines Marks 25 Years of Leadership in Credit Cards

Citi Credit Cards Wednesday, May 13, 2015

The country’s largest foreign bank celebrates another milestone as it marks its 25th year of providing world class credit card products and services to the Filipino consumer.

It was in 1990 when Citi Philippines introduced the Citibank MasterCard, marking the global bank’s entry into the Philippine credit card market. Back then, Citi was also credited for changing the payment landscape, when it lowered the minimum income requirement to own a credit card, and turned what was once a financial tool only for the elite, into a payment product that empowered middle income Filipino cardholders.

“We are extremely proud of our legacy of success here in the Philippines, particularly in our consumer banking business led by our credit cards,” shared CEO Batara Sianturi in his speech at the celebratory event. “As the world’s largest issuer of credit cards, we bring our experience and expertise across the globe in providing and anticipating the credit payment needs of our clients here in the country with the help of our partners like MasterCard.”

Today, Citi remains the acknowledged industry leader, with an enviable track record of innovations and best-in-market offers and promotions, making many unforgettable stories possible for its Filipino customers. And what would be a better way to celebrate its 25th year than to reward its loyal clients with the campaign ‘My Unforgettable Story’?

Unforgettable Stories with Citi Cards

Launched in March and running until August 2015, the promotion presents Citi cardholders the chance to create new memories in some of the world’s most breathtaking places –by simply using their Citi credit card.

Bea Tan, who heads Citi’s consumer banking business in the country related: “In designing this promotion, we wanted to break the mold and ensure that our clients are truly engaged from day one. We wanted to reward our loyal cardholders with delightful and unique experiences, and empower them with making the best choice from a list of impossible to resist selections according to their lifestyle and preferences.”

And ‘My Unforgettable Story’ certainly delivers all that and more. A total of fifteen lucky cardholders will be chosen in three raffle draws, with five winners to be awarded in each set. The first set of winners can choose one of the Stories of Discovery prizes, including a gourmet food tour in Japan, journey to self-discovery in Bali, scuba diving in Palau, and China or Egypt exploration.

Meanwhile, 2nd raffle draw winners can have a spectacular celebration of love as they can choose one of the Stories of Romance prizes such as a honeymoon in Maldives, island escapade in Thailand and hot air balloon date in Dubai. Winners can also have their dream wedding gown designed by a top couturier, or make their most romantic proposal happen.

Things get more exciting as the third set of winners can revel in one of the Stories of Adventure prizes like a family ski adventure in Korea, US theme park getaway, Mediterranean cruise, African safari and the magical Aurora Borealis experience.

“It’s so easy to win – just use your card for any purchase, regardless of amount, and you will earn raffle entries. And because we want all our cardholders to have a chance to win, we are awarding raffle entries for nearly every use of a Citi card: from using Citibank Online to charging with Citi PayLite, and even when you apply for a Personal Loan,” explained David Stoughton, Credit Payments Head of Citi Philippines.

To see the complete list of prizes and ways on how to qualify for the promotion, visit www.citibank.com.ph/mystory.

25 Years of Making Fantastic Plastics

“Beyond putting a Citi Card into Filipinos’ wallets, we also opened up a host of world class services and set new benchmarks for the industry,” recalled Tan. “Those were very exciting first years as we unveiled one product or service after the other, and saw not just our market share grow by leaps and bounds, but also competitors sit up and take notice. What was most satisfying is that the Filipino consumer is the real winner here.”

One of Citi’s game changing programs was the launch of Citi Rewards; Citi was the first credit card to introduce a loyalty program – offering rewards points to fuel rebates to air miles to shopping credits – for every spend made on the card. “It begs to be said that when we launched the program, it was so well designed that it set the bar, and we have not needed to make any changes to it since,” narrates Tan.

Indeed, Citi’s Rewards Program has become so successful that today, clients think of three options when they pay: credit card, points or cash?

“In this day and age when consumer trends and preferences change as fast as news travels, it’s a real challenge to keep track of what customers want and to make sure these are met – and at Citi, we strive to meet this challenge each day,” said Tan.

The Road ahead…is Digital

Looking ahead to the future, its loyal cardholders can expect Citi and MasterCard to continue to invest in the digital payments space and leverage on technology to transform the way in which it serves clients.

“At Citi, we strongly believe the future is digital. Around the world, we actively promote the transition to digital money. We are a global company doing business in 160 countries and jurisdictions, deeply embedded in over 700 cities and serving about 200 million customer accounts with hundreds of products and services,” declared Sianturi.

In Asia, Citi has over 7 million digital banking registered users. Nearly 98% of all transactions in this region now take place outside the branch, or via non-branch channels. That’s roughly 20 million digital banking transactions a month in Asia – and the trend is expected to double in five years.

Closer to home, 47% of its customers in the Philippines are registered users of digital banking. Over the last decade, Citi has seen consistent growth in terms of the number of users of both the Citibank Online and Citibank Mobile Banking platforms year on year.

“Indeed, we have seen an increasing shift to mobile usage, with customers using our Mobile App and mobile browsers to make Funds Transfers and Bills Payment on their mobile devices,” says Tan. “At Citi, we want our clients to have a remarkable experience each and every time they choose to pay with our credit cards. Our investments in the digital space, and partnership with trusted payment solutions provider MasterCard, afford us the opportunity to deliver again and again on this promise.”