Transact easily in eight different currencies through this mobile bank app feature

Through the Citibank Global Wallet, you can use one Debit Mastercard for international transactions without the hefty fees.Through the Citibank Global Wallet, you can use one Debit Mastercard for international transactions without the hefty fees.



Do you love to travel but hate international bank transaction fees? Well, travelers can now access eight currencies in one Debit Mastercard with Citi. Through its new feature called Citibank Global Wallet, customers can make purchases overseas at point-of-sale or online, and withdraw cash from Citibank ATMs without incurring additional currency conversion charges.

Citi is the first bank in the Philippines to introduce this feature, linked to the Citigold and Citi Priority Debit Mastercard. Customers now have access to eight foreign currencies, including Philippine Peso, US dollar, Euro, Australian Dollar, Sterling Pound, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong Dollar and Singapore Dollar.

Easy access

With the Citi mobile app or Citibank Online, existing Citigold and Citi Priority bank account holders can turn on Citibank Global Wallet and instantly open an account in any of the eight foreign currencies. To fund their newly opened foreign currency account, they can transfer funds online from their existing US dollar or Euro account. Citibank Global Wallet automatically switches to the relevant currency.

So if a customer is travelling to Sydney, all point-of-sale, online transactions and overseas ATM cash withdrawals will be automatically debited from their Australian Dollar account as long as there is sufficient balance.

“Citibank Global Wallet is perfect for travelling overseas, making online purchases and transferring foreign currencies for payments,” says Citi Philippines retail bank head Therese Chan. “Customers don’t have to go all the way to a bank or to a money changer to exchange foreign currency before a trip. They don’t even have to worry about bringing a big amount of cash with them. They can use the wallet anytime, when visiting family or friends in those countries, or whether travelling for business or for leisure.” 

For more information, visit Citibank.com.ph

source: news.abs-cbn.com

7 Valentine's Day gifts that last

MANILA - Valentine’s Day is just a heartbeat away. Are you planning on giving chocolates and flowers again to your special one?

Although romantic tokens are always popular, why not consider gifts that will last beyond Valentine’s Day and make a lasting impact on your significant other’s life? These gifts reflect long-term thinking and express your deep concern.

Unlike presents that you can just pick up from a store, these gifts entail a bit of research or “digging” on your part, which show that you are willing to give the gift of time and security to your loved one.

 Here are seven gifts that will clearly show you are "investing" in your relationship.

1. Art.

Artwork by the masters is always valuable, but if you can’t afford one, there are plenty of other equally promising pieces. An art piece, especially by an up and coming artist, is a gift whose value can grow over time. This is not limited to paintings, but also to sculpture and other art forms.

The best part? Works of art come in different price points, so you can acquire one within your budget, Spend time in galleries and check out art exhibits to get a feel of what’s out there. Make sure to do your research before you buy anything. Make sure that you get a piece according to your partner’s taste.

2. Jewelry.

The best thing about jewelry is that they are not only very romantic when given as a gift, they also appreciate in value. Gold prices, for instance, have been rising over the past few years, so you can pick up a ring, necklace, or earrings that your loved one will like. Diamonds and precious stones can likewise appreciate over time. Before buying jewelry, check out an appraiser so you know you’re getting something of value that will appreciate over time.

3. Expensive time pieces.

If your loved one likes time pieces, get a top-end watch. Usually, these are mechanical, handcrafted pieces that are laden with precious stones. Unlike new models, these pieces can last through generations while keeping their value. Do some research to know what these pieces and brands are.

4. Mutual funds.

Mutual funds may not exactly sound romantic, but when you give this to a loved one, you are showing long-term concern. The nice thing about mutual funds is that you can put in an amount that you are comfortable with. Later on, you can continue to top up this amount or you can leave it to your loved one to continue doing so.

Mutual funds can be invested in a variety of instruments with different risks that suit the recipient’s profile. You can get these at any financial institution, whose experts can readily answer your questions.

5. Home improvement.

Show your love by investing in a home improvement program, which will not only help improve the atmosphere that contributes to your loved one’s well-being, but can also improve the value of your home. Don’t just focus on beautification. You can also find ways to make full use of your land and invest in disaster-proofing your home, which are steps that can definitely add to its value.

6. Skills enhancement.

Enroll your loved one in a program that can enhance or upgrade his or her skills, possibly in new fields. Learning is a lifelong process, and the benefits of joining this program is sure to last for a long time. There are many options available to suit different inclinations and learning priorities. You can check out online courses, as well as face-to-face workshops offered by universities and other skills training providers.

7. Wellness programs.

Your loved one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being is important to his/her happiness. It also ensures good health and freedom from costly medications. For Valentine’s, why not enroll your loved one in a gym or a fitness program? Alternatively, yoga classes or a visit to the spa for alternative treatments are also good for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

For this coming Valentine’s Day, give a gift whose positive effect will last for more than a day. This is a sign of true love and a real gesture of a lifetime.

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Grow Your Money is an editorial partnership between news.abs-cbn.com and Citi Philippines to promote financial education and provide helpful information to Filipinos on how to better manage their personal finances.

Visit www.citibank.com.ph for more information.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

7 budget-friendly ways to usher in holiday cheer

MANILA - December is here and it's officially the start of endless rounds of parties and reunions. While it’s definitely a great time for bonding, the holiday season is also hard on the pocket.

 Here are seven budget friendly ideas for a December reunion with family and friends that are also meaningful and fun.
 
1. Have a merienda party.

Who says that parties always have to be held at dinner or lunch? Hold your get-together during merienda instead, and you’ll be spared from huge costs. Serve up a noodle dish to feed as many as possible, add some barbecue or spring rolls, then throw in a few sweets like the popular puto or rice cake, and you’re good. What’s more, logistics for merienda are much simpler. You can get by without having to get additional tables and chairs, since people can just walk around with the goodies in their plate. If you’re at the office, you can just find a space where you can have your Christmas spread, and enjoy the friendly banter with everyone.

2. Go potluck.

If you really want to have a traditional lunch or dinner, then go potluck this holiday season. There’s nothing embarrassing about asking people to bring their contributions to your yearly get together. It’s also a great way to get people to showcase their cooking, and lets them bring their own favorites to share with everybody else. If you’re the organizer, try to know what guests are bringing so that you won’t have duplications, and so that you can have a wide selection of goodies to share with everyone.

3. Hold a leftovers party.

Or instead of having your get-together before Christmas, have it after the holidays instead for less stress. Invite everyone to bring in their leftovers – the endless hams, salads and desserts that pile up in many people’s homes. Not only is this a great way to bring down costs, it also lets everyone empty their refrigerators of excess food that could spoil. It’s also one way to let everyone taste family favorites. At the rate that Pinoys stack up on food during the holidays, you can be sure you’ll have a great spread of Christmas goodies to share.

4. Go bowling.

Instead of focusing on food, get everyone involved in an activity like bowling. Major malls will let you play for an hour or two, and their rates include bowling shoes and in some cases, food. Everyone can enjoy the game and have a friendly competition, encouraging interaction while leaving enough time for bonding with friends and colleagues. Everyone can partake of the snacks for added fuel as well. Since bowling alleys are located in malls, you also offer guests the convenience of being able to do some Christmas shopping or to meet a few friends before or after your bowling party.

5. Go caroling.

Unleash your musical genius and organize your friends to go caroling--something that you can do just once a year. This is another fun activity that lets you bond with your fellow carolers, while being able to visit family and friends at the same time. What’s more, you don’t even have to spend on food, as most of the homes you’ll visit will prepare a spread for you to partake of. You can even collect funds from this endeavor, which you can donate to a good cause or give to a favorite charity, as agreed upon with your friends.

6. Have some karaoke fun.

If you and your loved ones love music, then you may also enjoy karaoke nights or afternoons this Christmas. Hold your singing spree after lunch or dinner. All you need is a karaoke, a place where everyone can get together, and some light snacks and drinks that won’t interfere with your singing. No need for an expansive food spread, for as long as you have a long list of songs that can get everyone to sing their favorites. Another short cut is to bring everyone to a karaoke bar, where for a few hours, you can enjoy non-stop singing while staying within budget for food and drinks.

7. Hold an outreach program.

Christmas is all about sharing, so why not do away with your traditional party and instead visit one of the many charitable institutions in the city. Instead of spending on your party food, organize a simple merienda for orphans, the sick, the disabled, or the elderly. You can even leave them with some goodies. There’s nothing more fulfilling than to be able to do something for the marginalized sectors of society, and being able to do this with your friends and loved ones will definitely be more meaningful for everyone.

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Grow Your Money is an editorial partnership between news.abs-cbn.com and Citi Philippines to promote financial education and provide helpful information to Filipinos on how to better manage their personal finances.

Visit www.citibank.com.ph for more information.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

With this new credit card, you can 'wave and pay'

MANILA Philippines - Don't you just hate long lines at the checkout counter, waiting for the cashier to process credit card payments?

Here comes a credit card which you can just wave in front of a card reader and pay for your shopping.

Citi Philippines and Visa on Thursday launched Citibank Visa payWave, the first contactless credit card payment technology in the Philippines.

Now Citibank Visa credit cardholders can simply place their cards in front of a Visa payWave reader to pay for items at Metro Manila branches of Robinsons Supermarket Express Lanes and Mercury Drug; buy movie tickets at Eastwood and Lucky Chinatown Cinemas; and buy coffee at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

In November, the card can be used at McDonald's branches in Metro Manila.

"This is a revolution in the way we pay... Contactless payment means you tap the card on the terminal, and a transaction occurs a lot quicker than it used to be, Iain Jamieson, Visa country manager for Philippines and Guam, said in a press conference in Makati City.

The card is typically used for small payments from as low as P1 to P2,000. "This (card) is typically for smaller payments. In the Philippines, it is below P2,000, you no longer have to sign a receipt and you don't have to get the receipt if you don't want to," he said.

Purchases above P2,000, the payWave card can be used as a credit card where a signature or PIN is required.

Jamieson noted payWave transactions are three times faster than cash payments, and can reduce long lines at stores and supermarkets.

Citi Philippines is confident about the prospects of the contactless payments in the country.

"We are bringing this new way to pay, new innovation to about 1 million credit cardholders with Citi Philippines," Batara Sianturi, Citi Country Officer for the Philippines, said. "People buy on iTunes, Amazon and it's all paperless and we're bringing this reality to some of our partners here."

Bea Tan, consumer business manager for Citi Philippines, said the Visa payWave technology provides convenience and security for its customers.

"We have used the latest chip technology in our Visa payWave credit cards, so our customers should not be worried about cards having to leave their hands. They won't have to worry about it being skimmed," Tan said, noting the card does not have to leave the customer's hand during payment.

Citi has already started issuing the payWave cards for 6 out of 8 of its Visa products. Existing cardholders may request for reissuance of cards. They will also receive the contactless cards upon expiration of their old ones.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Citibank card signs up new rewards partners

MANILA, Philippines - Citibank Rewards Card has signed up new rewards partners, allowing customers to earn shopping rebates at more stores.

The newest product in Citibank’s successful credit card portfolio rewards its cardmembers with rebates whenever they shop.

Citibank Rewards cardholders can earn 5% rebates when shopping at Crocs, National Book Store and Powerbooks. They also get 3% rebate at Robinsons Department Store nationwide.

"We have been successful in addressing the needs of customers for instant gratification so we continue to expand our roster of partners to give them a more rewarding experience,” said Bea Tan, Credit Payment Products Head at Citibank.

The rebates never expire and can be redeemed in denominations of P100 after one working day from the time of purchase. These can be used at participating shops and department stores.

Citibank cardholders can already get a 5% rebate is also given when they shop at Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Celio, Charles & Keith, Giordano, Marks & Spencer, Nike Park, Pedro, Runnr, Toby’s, Topshop, Topman, Urban Athletics and Zara.

A 3% rebate is also available at The Landmark Department Store, Metro Department Store, Rustan’s Department Store and SM Department Store.

When you apply for a Citibank Rewards Card online until October 31, 2012, as your very first Citibank Credit Card you will get P1,500 worth of shopping rebates.

The Citibank Rewards Card also gives cardholders a free P100 movie pass for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P2,500 anywhere. One can redeem up to 2 movie passes per day at any participating cinema by simply presenting the Citibank Rewards Card.

The card has added Gateway Cineplex and Ali Mall Cineplex in Araneta Center to its list of cinemas where cardholders can avail their free P100 movie pass.

The P100 movie passes are already honored at Cash & Carry Cinema, Eastwood Cinemas, Festival Cinema, Greenhills Promenade, Greenhills Theatre Mall, Robinsons Movieworld, SM Cinema and Walter Mart Cinemas.

Citibank also offers to waive the P2,000 annual fee if a cardmember spends at least P20,000 a month or P240,000 per membership year. In addition, the first 3 supplementary cards are free if each will have a minimum of 6 retail transactions every membership year.   

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Debralee Lorenzana

A beautiful woman in New York has sued Citigroup Inc. Woman named Debralee Lorenzana is filing a lawsuit against Citibank because they fired her, she says, for the strangest reason, she's too attractive. Citibank fired me for being too attractive. by Walter Olson on June 3, 2010. Debralee Lorenzana of Queens, N.Y. says managers at Citibank considered her turtlenecks and tailored pencil skirts "too distracting" and asked here to stop wearing them.

Her bosses said that due to her voluptuous full-figured outfits she wear, this distracted the staff’s attention from work. Citibank tod her that she too distracting for her male colleagues and supervisors because of the way she dress.

Citibank claims that it’s because of her performance why she was kicked out of the company but Debra's lawyer doubt it. Debra and her lawyer are claiming that it was all about her face and the way she dress, not about the job performance.