Citibank to Plant 6,000 Trees this Fall

Citibank Hungary, a member of Citi, the leading global financial services company, today announced the launch of its Plant-a-Tree Program in Hungary, joining the many Citi franchises around the world in partnering with customers, NGOs and forestry companies to conserve the forests, a vital natural resource. Through this initiative Citibank Hungary creates environmental awareness by encouraging its retail bank account customers to switch to paperless e-statements, planting a tree for each conversion made.

For every retail banking customer who switches to paperless statements, Citibank, in partnership with the Forests for the Community Foundation (FFCF) and the Pilisi Parkerdo Forestry Company, will plant a tree on his or her behalf in a location where it is most needed. Along with the environmental benefits, going paperless has its consumer advantages as well: it helps reduce paper clutter and allows customers to view their statements online for up to two years following their registration to this service, as well as provides easy access to account activity anywhere, anytime.

Citibank Hungary's plan is to plant 6,000 oak trees this fall in Kamaraerdo, a special environmental area in a suburb of Budapest, in replacement of a superannuated locust forest damaged by a recent storm.

"Our customers come first, and enrolling in paperless statements is an easy way for them to take part in protecting the environment," says Batara Sianturi, Citi Country Officer for Citibank Zrt. "We are working together with our customers to conserve a vital natural resource, by helping to replenish our national forests and contributing to a positive global cause. Citi is proud to be implementing programs that not only make our customers' lives simpler, but also addresses today's environmental concerns. The Plant-a-Tree initiative is a great place to start."

"The Pilisi Parkerdo Forestry Company is pleased to be working with Citi on this important project," says dr. Zoltan Boda, head of Budapest Forestry of Pilisi Parkerdo. "The trees planted will provide multiple benefits for this and future generations. The trees will clean the air we breathe, purify waterways, control erosion, add beauty to the landscape and provide food and habitat for wildlife."

The Pilisi Parkerdo Forestry Company was established in 1969 and its specialists now manage a total of 65 thousand hectares of national forests in the area surrounding the capital, where the demand for clean air and pure water is enormous.

At Citi, we believe that working to promote environmental and social sustainability is good business practice and the offer will continue to be made available to Citibank customers, where for every statement converted to paperless, a donation will be made to the FFCF for a tree to be planted in a national forest.

To read more about Citibank's Plant-a-Tree Program, please visit Citibank Zrt.'s website at www.citibank.hu.