Citibank Russia Named "HR Brand of the Year" in Banking Sector

Moscow – Business rotation, combined theory and practical training and senior access: these are the key elements to attract and grow highly professional bankers. Job applicants-users of the most popular HR web-sites in Russia and HR industry experts, named Citibank Russia the "HR Brand of the Year" in the banking sector for its unique Management Associates (MA) program and achievements in building company brand as employer and development of corporate culture values.

The awarded MA program aims to accelerate professional development of high-potential MBA graduates with several years of working experience. The MA program lasts 24 months and includes four rotations in the business areas of Credit & Risk, Finance, Sales & Marketing and Operations & Technology. The rotations in various business areas help the MA to develop a strong understanding of Citibank's businesses, markets, products, services and culture. The program offers a combination of classroom and on the job training, as well as exposure to top leadership within the organization. After graduating from the program, Management Associates typically take on a challenging position based on their strengths and interests and is aligned with business interests.

Anouk De Blieck, HR Director, Citibank Russia, commented on the receiving the award: "When developing our MA program, we were studying our international experience and listening to MBA gradates trying to understand their professional needs and career ambitions. Russian graduates always name among their goals the opportunity for further professional growth and personal development and Citibank provides them with the solution. After 24 months of real work in different business areas, our MAs gain in-depth knowledge of banking business and can decide for themselves which area they can apply their talent and expertise with maximum output for the company as well as for their own career.

The HR-Brand of the Year Awards were adjudged on the leading companies in Russia in more then 20 nominations, covering almost all major industries sectors, for their achievements in building their image and reputation as an employer. The HR-Brand of the Year Awards assessed HR projects implemented in the Russian market in compliance with the requirements for effective HR strategies accepted all over the world.

The winners in the HR-Brand of the Year nominations were assessed in two stages: Stage One was a comprehensive internet poll among thousands of job applicants, and results of the poll were verified and monitored by a supervisory board consisted of professional sociologists and research specialists. During Stage Two, a jury of ten avowed HR experts in the Russian market considered applications from the nominees, results of the internet poll, made their own assessment of each nominee, and voted for the winners in the categories.

More information about the HR Brand Awards, please visit www.hrbrand.ru.

Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citi's trademark red arc include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney, Banamex, and Nikko. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

Citibank ZAO
Citi was among the first international banks to enter the Russian market when it established a local bank, Citibank ZAO, in Moscow in 1994. Citi has since grown its business to be among the country's largest banks, offering a full range of products and services to corporate and consumer customers. At present, the Bank has over 3,500 employees, a $5+ billion balance sheet and a distribution network including over 60 branches servicing individuals and 300 ATM's in six cities of Russia. In 2002, Citibank ZAO launched consumer banking operations by opening our first retail branch in Moscow. Citi now serves over 400,000 retail banking and credit card customers across Russia. For more information about Citi in Russia please visit www.citibank.ru.