Friday, November 10, 2006

Citibank is Singapore Connection

Ground-Breaking Initiative Provides Citibank Cardholders with Unprecedented Payment Convenience and Added Security

Pay By Touch, the global leader in integrated biometric authentication, personalized marketing and payment solutions, announced that Citibank Singapore has rolled out Pay By Touch's biometric payment services to its Citibank Clear Platinum cardholders. Effective today, cardholders are invited to enroll in the biometric credit card service, and pay for goods and services with the touch of a finger.

"Today's launch of our new biometric payment service in partnership with Pay By Touch gives our cardholders a whole new level of empowerment, marking a major milestone not just for Citibank but also for the card industry," said Jonathan Larsen, CEO and Country Business Manager, Citibank Singapore Ltd.

"With the credit card becoming very much a part of our daily lives, consumers want greater flexibility in making payments. We are proud to bring the world's first cardless biometric payment service to Singapore. This is the ultimate in convenience – the ability to make credit card transactions with just a finger scan."

"The biometric credit card service from Citibank and Pay By Touch sets a new standard for speed, convenience and security," said John Rogers, founder, Chairman and CEO, Pay By Touch.

"Together, we have eliminated the need for cardholders to present their credit cards when paying for purchases. Instead, they simply press their finger to a biometric scanner and, in seconds, their transaction is complete."

The new biometric payment service is available to Citibank Singapore's Clear Platinum cardholders as part of the launch of its new Clear Platinum card. To start, Citibank Clear Platinum cardholders will be able to make cardless credit card transactions at retail outlets such as music and IT stores, as well as clubs, restaurants and cinemas. Participating merchants include Zouk, Gramophone epiCentre, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Shaw Theatre.

The biometric payment service will be introduced to more merchants and other Citibank credit cards in the near future. "We are pleased to be working with Citibank Singapore to bring an innovative and differentiating feature to the new Clear Platinum card in a crowded, highly competitive marketplace," said Drew Hyatt, Senior Vice President, Card and Authentication Services, Pay By Touch. "Already, millions of Americans love using Pay By Touch because it's a faster, easier and more secure way to pay. We are confident that Singaporeans will feel the same way."

The biometric payment service is available free-of-charge to Citibank Singapore's Clear Platinum cardholders. Enrolment takes minutes, and requires only a government-issued photo ID, a Citibank Clear Platinum credit card and a secure finger scan. Cardholders also create a seven-digit Personal Search Number, which facilitates the use of their scanned finger image to authenticate payment transactions.

The biometric enrollment kiosks will initially be made available at five branch locations: Citibank Singapore's Orchard Road, Paragon, VivoCity and Parkway Parade branches and Zouk. More kiosks will be available at other branches and merchants in future.

About Citibank

Citibank is a member of Citigroup (NYSE: C), the leading global financial services company which has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing 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, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, and Banamex.

Additional information may be found at: www.citigroup.com

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