Citibank Introduces Enhanced Online Security for Business Customers; New Portable Security Token Generates Dynamic Passwords for CitiBusiness Clients.

NEW YORK -- Recently, Citibank began introducing improved online security for its business clients by distributing security tokens to CitiBusiness(R) Online customers. The new program is part of Citibank's ongoing commitment to provide customers with advanced security technology. CitiBusiness Online is used by small- and middle-market U.S. business banking clients to access their accounts and perform a wide variety of financial transactions. Citibank is one of the first U.S. banks to roll out such a large-scale token program for its small business customers.

Each thumb-sized device is assigned to an individual user and creates a unique, dynamically generated sign-on password for each online session. This advanced two-factor authentication process, in which the current user ID / password system is bolstered by the addition of a token-generated security password, substantially reduces the risk of unauthorized access to customers' accounts through key logging and spyware techniques.

Citibank is now issuing tokens to all new CitiBusiness online clients as they open their accounts. They have also begun the process of issuing security tokens to all existing CitiBusiness Online users across the country. By early summer, business customers who use the internet for cash management services and other financial transactions will be required to sign on using their token-generated security password in order to complete transactions. If they do not have the token with them, customers will still be able to sign on to view limited account information, but will be unable to perform transactions. Citibank is providing customers with the award-winning Digipass GO3 token from VASCO (NASDAQ: VDSI), a company which has manufactured over 20 million token devices currently in use.

Jorge Bermudez, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup's Commercial Business Group, said, "By offering this technology to our clients, our message is clear: We will continue to look for innovative ways to enhance protection for our clients and their financial assets. While this initiative involves a sizeable technology investment on our part, it is indicative of the type of effort Citigroup makes every day to keep our clients assets safe."

Citibank will continue to remind clients to remain vigilant against fraud by taking such precautions as: changing passwords regularly, scanning computers for viruses and spyware, avoiding e-mail scams and keeping passwords safe.

Citibank is a member of Citigroup (NYSE: C), the preeminent global financial services company with some 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries, which provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset 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.