Citigroup (C)

Change in EMEA Consumer Write-off Policy

Prior to the third quarter of 2005, certain Western European consumer portfolios were granted an exception to Citigroup’s global write-off policy. The exception extended the write-off period from the standard 120-day policy for personal installment loans, and was granted because of the higher recovery rates experienced in these portfolios. During 2005, Citigroup observed lower actual recovery rates, stemming primarily from a change in bankruptcy and wage garnishment laws in Germany and, as a result, rescinded the exception to the global standard. The net charge was $332 million ($490 million pretax) resulting from the recording of $1.153 billion of write-offs and a corresponding utilization of $663 million of reserves in the third quarter of 2005.

Change in EMEA Consumer Write-off Policy

Prior to the third quarter of 2005, certain Western European consumer portfolios were granted an exception to Citigroup’s global write-off policy. The exception extended the write-off period from the standard 120-day policy for personal installment loans, and was granted because of the higher recovery rates experienced in these portfolios. During 2005, Citigroup observed lower actual recovery rates, stemming primarily from a change in bankruptcy and wage garnishment laws in Germany and, as a result, rescinded the exception to the global standard. The net charge was $332 million ($490 million pretax) resulting from the recording of $1.153 billion of write-offs and a corresponding utilization of $663 million of reserves in the 2005 third quarter.

These write-offs did not relate to a change in the portfolio credit quality but rather to a change in environmental factors due to law changes and consumer behavior that led Citigroup to re-evaluate its estimates of future long-term recoveries and their appropriateness to the write-off exception.

Change in EMEA Consumer Write-off Policy

        Prior to the third quarter of 2005, certain Western European consumer portfolios were granted an exception to Citigroup's global write-off policy. The exception extended the write-off period from the standard 120-day policy for personal installment loans, and was granted because of the higher recovery rates experienced in these portfolios. During 2005, Citigroup observed lower actual recovery rates, stemming primarily from a change in bankruptcy and wage garnishment laws in Germany and, as a result, rescinded the exception to the global standard. The net charge was $332 million $(490 million pretax) resulting from the recording of $1.153 billion of write-offs and a corresponding utilization of $663 million of reserves in the 2005 third quarter.

        These write-offs did not relate to a change in the portfolio credit quality but rather to a change in environmental factors due to law changes and consumer behavior that led Citigroup to re-evaluate its estimates of future long-term recoveries and their appropriateness to the write-off exception.

Change in EMEA Consumer Write-off Policy

        Prior to the third quarter of 2005, certain Western European consumer portfolios were granted an exception to Citigroup's global write-off policy. The exception extended the write-off period from the standard 120-day policy for personal installment loans, and was granted because of the higher recovery rates experienced in these portfolios. Citigroup recently observed lower actual recovery rates, stemming primarily from a change in bankruptcy and wage garnishment laws in Germany and, as a result, rescinded the exception to the global standard. The net charge was $332 million ($490 million pretax) resulting from the recording of $1.153 billion of write-offs and a corresponding utilization of $663 million of reserves in the 2005 third quarter. These write-offs, along with the underlying portfolio performance, caused the 90-day delinquency rate for the Consumer EMEA portfolio to decline to 1.29% at December 31, 2005, compared to 3.36% at December 31, 2004.

        These write-offs did not relate to a change in the portfolio credit quality but rather to a change in environmental factors due to law changes and consumer behavior that led Citigroup to re-evaluate its estimates of future long-term recoveries and their appropriateness to the write-off exception.

        A slight upward movement in net charge-offs may occur in EMEA in the near term due to the timing of the write-offs, now at 120 days, versus the longer period of time over which recoveries will be realized. The Company is in the process of adjusting its collection strategies in EMEA to reflect the revised write-off time frame.

Change in EMEA Consumer Write-off Policy

        In the past, certain Western European consumer portfolios were granted an exception to Citigroup's global write-off policy. The exception extended the write-off period from the standard 120-day policy for personal installment loans, and was granted because of the higher recovery rates experienced in these portfolios. Citigroup recently observed lower actual recovery rates, stemming primarily from a change in bankruptcy and wage garnishment laws in Germany, and as a result, conformed the regional charge-off policy to its global standard. The net charge was $490 million resulting from the recording of $1.153 billion of write-offs and a corresponding utilization of $663 million of reserves, in the 2005 third quarter. These write-offs, along with the underlying portfolio performance, caused the 90-day delinquency rate for the Consumer EMEA portfolio to decline to 1.43% at September 30, 2005, compared to 4.43% at June 30, 2005.

        These write-offs did not relate to a change in the portfolio credit quality but rather to a change in environmental factors due to law changes and consumer behavior that led Citigroup to re-evaluate its estimates of future long-term recoveries and their appropriateness to the write-off exception.

        A slight upward movement in net charge-offs may occur in EMEA in the near-term due to the timing of the write-offs, now at 120 days, versus the longer period of time over which recoveries will be realized. The Company is in the process of adjusting its collection strategies in EMEA to reflect the revised write-off time frame.