#
#
Press Room
#

     Printer Friendly Page
 
 #  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2000

Citibank Launches Streamlined ADR Web Site

Citibank ADR market research highlights customers' Internet needs.

New York, NY — Citibank Depositary Receipt Services, the American Depositary Receipts (ADR) market leader based on program liquidity and service quality, today announced a new platform created after analyzing the information needs of Citibank ADR issuers and brokers as documented through an in-depth survey. This dynamic web site emphasizes a fresh look and feel, superior navigation and more timely, accurate information.

          The two objectives of Citibank ADR (www.citibank.com/adr) are to deliver the most comprehensive, easy to use and up-to-date information on ADRs today and establish a platform that anticipates evolving customer wants and needs. "Our aim is to meet the specific information needs of Citibank ADR issuers, brokers and investors today and for the future," said Kurt Schneiber, Global Managing Director, Citibank Depositary Receipt Services. "This is part of our ongoing commitment to web enable our products and services and deliver superior quality programs to our customers."

          New navigation tools and intuitive links enable users to search for ADR information in five different ways: pull down menus, type-in search words, alphabetical search, side navigation bar and "breadcrumb" path showing where they have been on the site. The site is centered around three focused user communities: Issuers, Brokers and Investors. The following are features and benefits:

For Issuers:

  • Issuer Access ®. Citibank ADR's proprietary service provides program specific data on broker activity, DTC activity, pricing history and registered share ownership in a current and historical view.

  • Global/Shares on Demand ® is a proprietary system, which taps into the industry's premier data sources on share ownership by institution. Data are program specific and can include up to 30 peers.

  • Investor Relations Workshop features in-depth information on developing IR programs for non-U.S. companies.
For Brokers:

  • Corporate action, dividend and new issue announcements updated daily

  • Universal Issuance Guide, a comprehensive listing of all ADRs including country of origin, program structure, depositary bank, exchange, ticker, ratio and CUSIP. Live database can be downloaded to a spreadsheet.

  • Information regarding SWIFT communications on individual markets and processing ADR transactions.

  • Coming Soon: Broker Client Server. www.citibank.com/adr will replace our current dial in service for transaction initiation, reporting and billing.
For Investors:

  • On-line proxy voting for Registered Holders.

  • Access to SalomonSmithBarney.com, Citigroup's best-in-class full service broker.

  • Link to BUYandHOLD, a dollar-based direct investment service.

  • Access to Citicorp Investment Services, including real-time stock quotes and capability to research investment information through state-of-the-art online trading system.

  • Information on traditional direct purchase programs.

          What's more, the "ADR Academy" provides an up-to-date reference library on depositary receipts. The Academy features a glossary of international investing terms, company profiles on Citibank ADR issuers with contact information, financials and links to the issuer's own site, and press releases on product enhancements, market trends and new ADR programs.

 

# # #


Citibank Depositary Receipt Services leads the market in bringing quality issuers to the U.S. market and promoting ADRs as an effective capital markets tool. Citibank began offering American Depositary Receipts in 1928 and today is the market leader, widely recognized for delivering high quality, highly liquid programs to its customers.

Citibank Depositary Receipt Services is a part of Citibank Worldwide Securities Services (WWSS), a business within Citigroup's Global Corporate and Investment Bank. WWSS serves global issuers, investors and intermediaries through the world's largest and most acclaimed proprietary custody and clearing network, spanning 51 countries and territories. It currently provides securities services to more than 2,500 customers worldwide and has $4 trillion in assets under custody. WWSS is the industry's premier custodian of cross-border assets, top ranked global clearer and recognized leader in depositary receipt services, and agency and trust services.

Citigroup (NYSE:C), the premier global financial services company, provides some 100 million consumers, corporations, governments and institutions in 102 countries with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage and asset management. The 1998 merger of Citigroup and Travelers Group brought together such brand names as Citibank, Travelers, Salomon Smith Barney, Citifinancial and Primerica under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella.

Press Contacts:

Citibank, New York
Eric Litchfield
+1 212 657 2113

Citibank, London
Duncan Smith
+44 20 7500 2033

Citibank, Hong Kong
May Wu
+852 2868 8982

Citibank, Argentina
Guillermo Stanley
+5411 4329 1802

Information contained herein is a matter of record only. It should not be construed as advice or a recommendation by Citibank.