Bucharest, January 12, 2010
Citibank introduces new features to its credit cards and expands the CitiPartner discount network
- Citi Credit Cards ensure safer transactions with the new chip facility
- Citi Credit Card clients benefit from attractive discounts at more than 650 renowned brand outlets
From December 2009 Citi Credit Card customers in Romania will receive a "Chip" card based on EMV technology (Chip and PIN card payment system).
The chip is an embedded microchip in a credit card that provides highly secure memory and processing capabilities. In addition to holding the same personal data as that on the magnetic stripe (e.g. cardholder name, card number and expiry date), the microchip provides additional security features to safeguard against counterfeiting. Chip and PIN combats the largest area of fraud - that of counterfeit (skimmed) cards. In order to combat card fraud, two things need to be established at the time of the transaction - that the card is genuine (Chip ensures this) and that the person using it is the authorized owner (PIN ensures this).
"This is another step in Citibank's philosophy to making its products more attractive and more valuable. Customers are always looking for safety and convenience in all their daily activities, especially when their money is implied. Based on our global experience, we have managed to bring to our customers in Romania the same important benefits people are enjoying all over the world. This new security technology will offer yet another benefit of using the card." declared Adrian Vlase, Cards Head at Citibank Romania.
On a security level, there are at least five services through which Citi Card Visa ensures the most complex package of security measures on the Romanian market: the cardholders can personalize their credit cards with their picture and signature; there is a monitoring system that tracks the credit card owner's shopping habits and identifies suspicious transactions. Any such transaction is verified by phone with the credit card owner and, in case the fraud is confirmed, the credit card is blocked; Citi cards owners can benefit from the Citi Alert service, which informs the customer of every transaction through SMS or e-mail; the customers' possibility of choosing their own PIN code, which is set by phone, through the CitiPhone service; the CitiPhone service can be used to block a stolen/ lost credit card. CitiPhone service can be also used to request details referring to the current balance and, and to make utilities payments, to communicate complaints, to announce personal data changes (name, address), etc.
However, security is not the single benefit offered to Citi Card customers in Romania. They are also enjoying a partnerships program initiated to give customers more value for their money when they use the card as a payment mechanism. Accordingly, all Citi clients having a Citibank Credit Card benefit from attractive discounts up to 30% offered by Citibank Romania in collaboration with many renowned brands across 650 outlets from domains like shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs, coffee-shops, spa, gyms, medical centers, hotels and tourism agencies.
"After launching the free travel insurance program on credit cards, this new partnership program will give customers yet another benefit of using the card instead of paying by cash. Citibank and its partners in this program share some common values in terms of offering the best products and services for their customers in a convenient way and for the best price", said Adrian Vlase, Cards Head at Citibank Romania.
To read more about the Citibank Credit Cards, the related services, application criteria and fees, please visit Citibank Romania's website at www.citibank.ro
About Citibank Romania:
Citi has been present in Romania since 1996 and provides high-quality financial products and services to national and international companies, small and middle enterprises, the public sector, non-profit organizations and individuals.
About Citi:
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. Through its two operating units, Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides 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. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.