Citigroup Awards $2 Million to Habitat for Humanity To Build Homes with Deserving Families in 42 U.S. Cities; ``Citigroup Builds Communities'' 2003 Program Targets 10 Predominantly Hispanic Cities and Offers Financial Education Curriculum in Spanish.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 2003

Citigroup today announced that it has awarded $2 million in grants to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to help build homes in 42 U.S. cities and London, England, with deserving families who would not otherwise be able to afford a home. These grant dollars are part of the "Citigroup Builds Communities" program, which unites employees from across the company's business units -- Citibank, Smith Barney, CitiFinancial, Citimortgage, Primerica and Travelers Life and Annunity -- as they volunteer to build Habitat homes. Now in its 4th year, the "Citigroup Builds Communities" program is sponsored by Citibank's Community Relations Department with support from the Citigroup Foundation.

As part of its overall goal to expand its reach to more Hispanic consumers, in 2003 Citigroup will place a special emphasis on building Habitat homes in the nation's leading Hispanic markets. These are: in California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego; in Florida: Broward County, in Illinois: DuPage County; in New York: New York City; and in Texas: Dallas, Houston, Rio-Grande and San Antonio. Habitat families in these markets will also be able to improve their personal finance management skills by participating in a new financial education curriculum developed by Citigroup and available in both English and Spanish.

"The combination of philanthropic giving, employee volunteerism and geographic breadth that Habitat offers truly reflects our commitment to help make every community where we operate a better place because we are there," said Bob Willumstad, President of Citigroup and also a member of the HFHI Board of Directors. "Our partnership with Habitat is a natural one since we share with them the goal of ensuring that quality, affordable housing, financial products and financial education are available so families can feel confident in assuming the responsibility of homeownership."

Citigroup also will be part of the Financial Services Roundtable Community Build with Habitat for Humanity taking place on August 2. On that day, banking, investment and insurance company employees will be building Habitat homes with families in need in 13 U.S. cities and in London. Citigroup employees will participate in each of the 14 markets with Mr. Willumstad leading the build in the Bronx.

"We are very pleased to be able to double the amount of our grant to Habitat for Humanity this year, and most especially to know that it will help deserving families realize their dreams of becoming homeowners," said Charles V. Raymond, President of the Citigroup Foundation. "We also recognize that volunteerism is a very important form of support and we believe that through our 'Citigroup Builds Communities' program, our employees can get involved in a meaningful way to help revitalize local communities."

"At Habitat for Humanity, we are grateful for the support and generosity of partners like Citigroup to make sure people in need have a simple, decent place to live," said Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International. "We feel blessed by their commitment to help people who are less fortunate."

In building Habitat for Humanity homes, teams of employee volunteers partner with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. These affiliates are independent, locally run nonprofit organizations that coordinate all aspects of Habitat home building in their local area.

This is the fourth major grant that Citigroup has made to HFHI targeted for the U.S. As a result of $3 million previously awarded by Citigroup to HFHI, more than 10,000 employees in 25 states logged 112,000 volunteer hours to build 97 homes. Along with grant dollars, Citigroup's businesses have supported Habitat affiliates in local markets in other ways. For example, Citibank's Center for Community Development (CCD) has invested a total of $7.8 million in HFH mortgages.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 2,000 communities in 89 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity International, call 1-800-HABITAT or log on to www.habitat.org.

About Citigroup

Citigroup (NYSE: C), the preeminent global financial services company with some 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries, 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, Banamex, and Travelers Life and Annuity. The Citigroup Foundation focuses its grants primarily in three areas: building communities and entrepreneurs, financial education, and educating the next generation. Additional information may be found at: www.citigroup.com.