7.08.2002 ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, New York - Citibank today announced that the Citigroup Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to support the company's nationwide employee volunteer program.

The program, "Citigroup Builds Communities," unites employees from across business units -- Citibank, Salomon Smith Barney, Travelers, CitiFinancial, Citimortgage and Primerica - as they work together building Habitat homes with deserving families who would not otherwise be able to afford a house. The "Citigroup Builds Communities" Program is sponsored by the Citibank's Community Relations Department with support from the Citigroup Foundation.

"Citigroup Builds Communities" aligns directly with President Bush's new "Businesses Strengthening America" campaign, which was recently introduced at the White House. The President met with 19 senior corporate executives representing a variety of industries, including Robert Willumstad, President of Citigroup, to discuss the campaign, which is a multi-year effort to engage America's business leaders in strengthening civic participation. The core belief behind the campaign is that a stronger commitment to volunteering and civic responsibility serves the corporate interest because, first and foremost, it is the right thing to do, and it also increases employee, consumer and shareholder loyalty.

"The combination of philanthropic giving, employee volunteerism and geographic breadth that Habitat offers aptly reflects our commitment to help make every community where we operate a better place because we are there," said Robert Willumstad, President of Citigroup, who recently became a member of the HFHI Board of Directors.

"Our partnership with Habitat is also a natural one since we share with them the goal of helping to develop quality, affordable housing and to ensuring that quality, affordable financial products and services are available so families can feel confident in assuming the responsibility of homeownership."

Citigroup is also part of the new Financial Services Roundtable Partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which was established this past spring. On August 10, banking, investment and insurance company employees will be building Habitat homes for families in need in eight U.S. cities. Mr. Willumstad will lead the Citigroup build on August 10 in Baltimore.

"We are very pleased to make this grant to Habitat for Humanity 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 are making a significant contribution toward revitalizing local communities."

"Becoming an integral part of each local community where we have operations is a key priority for us," said Sandra Reilly, National Community Relations Director at Citibank. "To further strengthen our support of Habitat, our Financial Centers and business operations nationwide will be keeping our customers informed of our Habitat activities and encourage them to get involved to something special for their 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 HFH homes, teams of employee volunteers partner with local HFH affiliates. These affiliates are independent, locally run non-profit organizations that coordinate all aspects of Habitat home building in their local area.

This is the third major grant that Citigroup has made to HFHI targeted for the U.S. As a result of $2 million previously awarded by Citigroup to HFHI, more than 6,000 employees in 20 states logged 64,000 volunteer hours to build 63 homes. Along with grant dollars, Citigroup's businesses have supported Habitat affiliates in local markets in other ways. For example, Citigroup's Center for Community Development Enterprise (CCDE) 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 83 nations have built and sold more than 120,000 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 Citibank

Citibank is a member of 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, Salomon Smith Barney, Banamex, and Travelers. 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.

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