Citibank EZ Checking Now Part of Regular Banking Services; Low $1,500 Minimum Balance Avoids Monthly Charges; Bill Payment, PC Banking, Citibank ATM Services Are Free

Business Wire, July 10, 1998

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 1998--Citibank today announced that it will now offer its no-fee EZ Checking account with a minimum, combined balance requirement of only $1,500, as part of its regular checking services.

Initially introduced as a promotional product in May in California, EZ checking has proven so popular that it is now part of Citibank's regular product line.

Deposits, investments and loans all count toward meeting the minimum balance requirement for free checking. Citibank EZ Checking, along with the Citibank Account, considers a customer's combined requirements including checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, investments, CDs and IRAs.

"Citibank is responding to the need for easy banking services, a fact highlighted by the results of our recent promotion," said William R. Silver, president of Citibank California. "The low minimum balance on the EZ Checking account, plus free PC banking and other benefits makes this a great value."

The special Citibank EZ Checking account offers customers a broad range of free services and requires only a low $1,500 minimum balance to avoid monthly charges.

And unlike a traditional minimum balance requirement -- which frequently is based on balances held in checking accounts only -- Citibank customers can also include all balances to meet the $1,500 minimum balance. Below minimum accounts will be charged a $25 monthly service charge. The account requires direct deposit if the customer is eligible.

Customers can sign up for EZ Checking by visiting any Citibank branch in California, or by calling 800/745-1534, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., PDT; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., PDT; and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PDT.

In addition to a low minimum balance, EZ Checking customers will receive the following benefits: -0-

--   Free electronic bill payment, via telephone, ATM or PC

--   Free PC Banking or Internet Banking through Citibank's Direct
     Access online banking service

--   Free unlimited usage of Citibank ATMs

--   Unlimited check writing

--   Access to all other bank services, including teller service

--   Five non-Citibank ATM withdrawals free of charges

-0-

In addition, to help customers more easily manage their accounts, Citibank will provide a single consolidated EZ Checking account statement every month, reflecting not only a customer's checking account activity, but also balances related to any other linked accounts maintained with the bank.

"It's easier than one thinks to qualify for EZ Checking," said Silver. "With EZ Checking's low $1,500 minimum, for example, you could avoid monthly fees just by transferring your outstanding credit card balances from another financial organization to Citibank. And that's what we're looking for -- customers who want to come to Citibank for all of their financial needs, not just checking."

EZ Checking is similar in structure to the Citibank Account, which features a higher minimum balance requirement, but offers preferred rates, and no direct deposit restrictions. For those with minimum banking needs, Citibank continues to offer Basic Checking, a complete banking package with unlimited electronic access, at only $6.50 monthly.

Citibank is a subsidiary of Citicorp, a global financial services organization serving consumers, businesses, governments and financial institutions through 3,200 locations in 100 countries and territories. The bank has 79 branches in 68 communities in California, 53 of which are in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For more information about Citibank, visit the Web site at www.citibank.com.

CONTACT: Citibank

Tonia Freeman, 415/658-4554