Citigroup (C)

24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

·          Futures and forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.

·          Swap contracts which are commitments to settle in cash at a future date or dates that may range from a few days to a number of years, based on differentials between specified financial indices, as applied to a notional principal amount.

·          Option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

·          Trading Purposes—Customer Needs — Citigroup offers its customers derivatives in connection with their risk-management actions to transfer, modify or reduce their interest rate, foreign exchange and other market/credit risks or for their own trading purposes. As part of this process, Citigroup considers the customers’ suitability for the risk involved, and the business purpose for the transaction. Citigroup also manages its derivative-risk positions through offsetting trade activities, controls focused on price verification, and daily reporting of positions to senior managers.

·          Trading Purposes—Own Account — Citigroup trades derivatives for its own account. Trading limits and price verification controls are key aspects of this activity.

·          Asset/Liability Management Hedging—Citigroup uses derivatives in connection with its risk-management activities to hedge certain risks or reposition the risk profile of the Company. For example, Citigroup may issue fixed-rate long-term debt and then enter into a receive-fixed, pay-variable-rate interest rate swap with the same tenor and notional amount to convert the interest payments to a net variable-rate basis. This strategy is the most common form of an interest rate hedge, as it minimizes interest cost in certain yield curve environments. Derivatives are also used to manage risks inherent in specific groups of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, including investments, corporate and consumer loans, deposit liabilities, as well as other interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. In addition, foreign- exchange contracts are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated debt, available-for-sale securities, net capital exposures and foreign-exchange transactions.

Derivatives may expose Citigroup to market, credit or liquidity risks in excess of the amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Market risk on a derivative product is the exposure created by potential fluctuations in interest rates, foreign-exchange rates and other values and is a function of the type of product, the volume of transactions, the tenor and terms of the agreement, and the underlying volatility. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the transaction where the value of any collateral held is not adequate to cover such losses. The recognition in earnings of unrealized gains on these transactions is subject to management’s assessment as to collectibility. Liquidity risk is the potential exposure that arises when the size of the derivative position may not be able to be rapidly adjusted in periods of high volatility and financial stress at a reasonable cost.

16.    DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

        In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

•

Futures and forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.



•

Swap contracts which are commitments to settle in cash at a future date or dates that may range from a few days to a number of years, based on differentials between specified financial indices, as applied to a notional principal amount.



•

Option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts relating to interest rate, foreign currency, commodity, and other market/credit risks for the following reasons:

•

Trading Purposes—Customer Needs—Citigroup offers its customers derivatives in connection with their risk-management actions to transfer, modify or reduce their interest rate, foreign exchange and other market/ credit risks or for their own trading purposes. As part of this process, Citigroup considers the customers' suitability for the risk involved, and the business purpose for the transaction. Citigroup also manages its derivative-risk positions through offsetting trade activities, controls focused on price verification, and daily reporting of positions to senior managers.



•

Trading Purposes—Own Account—Citigroup trades derivatives for its own account, and as an active market maker. Trading limits and price verification controls are key aspects of this activity.



•

Hedging—Citigroup uses derivatives in connection with its risk-management activities to hedge certain risks or reposition the risk profile of the Company. For example, Citigroup may issue fixed-rate long-term debt and then enter into a receive-fixed, pay-variable-rate interest rate swap with the same tenor and notional amount to convert the interest payments to a net variable-rate basis. This strategy is the most common form of an interest rate hedge, as it minimizes interest cost in certain yield curve environments. Derivatives are also used to manage risks inherent in specific groups of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, including investments, corporate and consumer loans, deposit liabilities, as well as other interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. In addition, foreign- exchange contracts are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated debt, foreign-currency-denominated available-for-sale securities, net capital exposures and foreign-exchange transactions.

        Derivatives may expose Citigroup to market, credit or liquidity risks in excess of the amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Market risk on a derivative product is the exposure created by potential fluctuations in interest rates, foreign-exchange rates and other factors and is a function of the type of product, the volume of transactions, the tenor and terms of the agreement, and the underlying volatility. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the transaction where the value of any collateral held is not adequate to cover such losses. The recognition in earnings of unrealized gains on these transactions is subject to management's assessment as to collectibility. Liquidity risk is the potential exposure that arises when the size of the derivative position may not be able to be rapidly adjusted in periods of high volatility and financial stress at a reasonable cost.

        Information pertaining to the volume of derivative activity is provided in the tables below. The notional amounts, for both long and short derivative positions, of Citigroup's derivative instruments as of June 30, 2009 are presented in the table below:

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Table of Contents

24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

Derivatives may expose Citigroup to market, credit or liquidity risks in excess of the amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Market risk on a derivative product is the exposure created by potential fluctuations in interest rates, foreign-exchange rates and other values and is a function of the type of product, the volume of transactions, the tenor and terms of the agreement, and the underlying volatility. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the transaction where the value of any collateral held is not adequate to cover such losses. The recognition in earnings of unrealized gains on these transactions is subject to management’s assessment as to collectibility. Liquidity risk is the potential exposure that arises when the size of the derivative position may not be able

24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

Derivatives may expose Citigroup to market, credit or liquidity risks in excess of the amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Market risk on a derivative product is the exposure created by potential fluctuations in interest rates, foreign-exchange rates and other values and is a function of the type of product, the volume of transactions, the tenor and terms of the agreement, and the underlying volatility. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the transaction where the value of any collateral held is not adequate to cover such losses. The recognition in earnings of unrealized gains on these transactions is subject to management’s assessment as to collectibility. Liquidity risk is the potential exposure that arises when the size of the derivative position may not be able

24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

·          Futures and forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.

·          Swap contracts which are commitments to settle in cash at a future date or dates that may range from a few days to a number of years, based on differentials between specified financial indices, as applied to a notional principal amount.

·          Option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

·          Trading Purposes—Customer Needs — Citigroup offers its customers derivatives in connection with their risk-management actions to transfer, modify or reduce their interest rate, foreign exchange and other market/credit risks or for their own trading purposes. As part of this process, Citigroup considers the customers’ suitability for the risk involved, and the business purpose for the transaction. Citigroup also manages its derivative-risk positions through offsetting trade activities, controls focused on price verification, and daily reporting of positions to senior managers.

·          Trading Purposes—Own Account — Citigroup trades derivatives for its own account. Trading limits and price verification controls are key aspects of this activity.

·          Asset/Liability Management Hedging—Citigroup uses derivatives in connection with its risk-management activities to hedge certain risks or reposition the risk profile of the Company. For example, Citigroup may issue fixed-rate long-term debt and then enter into a receive-fixed, pay-variable-rate interest rate swap with the same tenor and notional amount to convert the interest payments to a net variable-rate basis. This strategy is the most common form of an interest rate hedge, as it minimizes interest cost in certain yield curve environments. Derivatives are also used to manage risks inherent in specific groups of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, including investments, corporate and consumer loans, deposit liabilities, as well as other interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. In addition, foreign- exchange contracts are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated debt, available-for-sale securities, net capital exposures and foreign-exchange transactions.

Citigroup accounts for its hedging activity in accordance with SFAS 133. As a general rule, SFAS 133 hedge accounting is permitted for those situations where the Company is exposed to a particular risk, such as interest rate or foreign-exchange risk, that causes changes in the fair value of an asset or liability, or variability in the expected future

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24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

·   Futures and forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.

·   Swap contracts which are commitments to settle in cash at a future date or dates that may range from a few days to a number of years, based on differentials between specified financial indices, as applied to a notional principal amount.

·   Option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

·   Trading Purposes—Customer Needs – Citigroup offers its customers derivatives in connection with their risk-management actions to transfer, modify or reduce their interest rate, foreign exchange and other market/credit risks or for their own trading purposes. As part of this process, Citigroup considers the customers’ suitability for the risk involved, and the business purpose for the transaction. Citigroup also manages its derivative-risk positions through offsetting trade activities, controls focused on price verification, and daily reporting of positions to senior managers.

·   Trading Purposes—Own Account – Citigroup trades derivatives for its own account. Trading limits and price verification controls are key aspects of this activity.

·   Asset/Liability Management Hedging—Citigroup uses derivatives in connection with its risk-management activities to hedge certain risks or reposition the risk profile of the Company. For example, Citigroup may issue fixed-rate long-term debt and then enter into a receive-fixed, pay-variable-rate interest rate swap with the same tenor and notional amount to convert the interest payments to a net variable-rate basis. This strategy is the most common form of an interest rate hedge, as it minimizes interest cost in certain yield curve environments. Derivatives are also used to manage risks inherent in specific groups of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, including investments, corporate and consumer loans, deposit liabilities, as well as other interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. In addition, foreign- exchange contracts are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated debt, available-for-sale securities, net capital exposures and foreign-exchange transactions.

Citigroup accounts for its hedging activity in accordance with SFAS 133. As a general rule, SFAS 133 hedge accounting is permitted for those situations where the Company is exposed to a particular risk, such as interest rate or foreign-exchange risk, that causes changes in the fair value of an asset or liability, or variability in the expected future

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24. DERIVATIVES ACTIVITIES

In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

15.   Derivatives Activities

        In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup enters into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

•

Futures and forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.



•

Swap contracts which are commitments to settle in cash at a future date or dates that may range from a few days to a number of years, based on differentials between specified financial indices, as applied to a notional principal amount.



•

Option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices.

        Citigroup enters into these derivative contracts for the following reasons:

•

Trading Purposes—Customer Needs—Citigroup offers its customers derivatives in connection with their risk-management actions to transfer, modify or reduce their interest rate, foreign exchange and other market/credit risks or for their own trading purposes. As part of this process, Citigroup considers the customers' suitability for the risk involved, and the business purpose for the transaction. Citigroup also manages its derivative-risk positions through offsetting trade activities, controls focused on price verification, and daily reporting of positions to senior managers.



•

Trading Purposes—Own Account—Citigroup trades derivatives for its own account. Trading limits and price verification controls are key aspects of this activity.



•

Asset/Liability Management Hedging—Citigroup uses derivatives in connection with its risk-management activities to hedge certain risks. For example, Citigroup may issue a fixed rate long-term note and then enter into a receive-fixed, pay-variable-rate interest rate swap with the same tenor and notional amount to convert the interest

        payments to a net variable-rate basis. This strategy is the most common form of an interest rate hedge, as it minimizes interest cost in certain yield curve environments. Derivatives are also used to manage risks inherent in specific groups of on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, including investments, corporate and consumer loans, deposit liabilities, other interest-sensitive assets and liabilities, as well as credit card securitizations, redemptions and sales. In addition, foreign exchange contracts are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated debt, available-for-sale securities, net capital exposures and foreign exchange transactions.

        Citigroup accounts for its hedging activity in accordance with SFAS 133. As a general rule, SFAS 133 hedge accounting is permitted for those situations where the Company is exposed to a particular risk, such as interest rate or foreign exchange risk, that causes changes in the fair value of an asset or liability, or variability in the expected future cash flows of an existing asset, liability, or a forecasted transaction.

        Derivative contracts hedging the risks associated with the changes in fair value are referred to as fair value hedges, while

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contracts hedging the risks affecting the expected future cash flows are called cash flow hedges. Hedges that utilize derivatives to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with equity investments in non-U.S. dollar functional currency foreign subsidiaries are called net investment hedges.

        All derivatives are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. If certain hedging criteria specified in SFAS 133 are met, including testing for hedging effectiveness, special hedge accounting may be applied. The hedge effectiveness assessment methodologies for similar hedges are performed in a similar manner and are used consistently throughout the hedging relationships. For fair value hedges, the changes in value of the hedging derivative, as well as the changes in value of the related hedged item, due to the risk being hedged, are reflected in current earnings. For cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, the changes in value of the hedging derivative are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity, to the extent the hedge was effective. Hedge ineffectiveness, in either case, is reflected in current earnings.

        Continuing with the example referred to above, the fixed rate long-term note is recorded at amortized cost under current U.S. GAAP. However, by electing to use SFAS 133 hedge accounting, the carrying value of this note is adjusted for changes in the benchmark floating rate, with any changes in fair value recorded in current earnings. The related interest rate swap is also recorded on the balance sheet at fair value, with any changes in fair value attributable to changes in interest rates reflected in earnings. Thus, any ineffectiveness resulting from the hedging relationship is recorded in current earnings. Alternatively, an economic-basis hedge, which does not meet the SFAS 133 hedging criteria, would involve only recording the derivative at fair value on the balance sheet, with its associated changes in value recorded in earnings. The note would continue to be carried at amortized cost, and therefore, current earnings would be impacted only by the interest rate shifts that cause the change in the swap's value. This type of hedge is undertaken when SFAS 133 hedge requirements cannot be achieved in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Fair value hedges

•

Hedging of benchmark interest rate risk—Citigroup hedges exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate financing transactions, including liabilities related to outstanding debt, borrowings and time deposits. The fixed cash flows from those financing transactions are converted to benchmark-variable-rate cash flows by entering into receive-fixed, pay-variable interest rate swaps. Typically these fair value hedge relationships use dollar-offset ratio analysis to assess whether the hedging relationships are highly effective at inception and on an ongoing basis.

        Citigroup also hedges exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate assets, including available-for-sale securities, reverse repurchase agreements and inter-bank placements. The hedging instruments mainly used are receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps for the remaining hedged asset categories. Most of these fair value hedging relationships use dollar-offset ratio analysis to assess whether the hedging relationships are highly effective at inception and on an ongoing basis, while others use regression analysis.

        For a limited number of fair value hedges of benchmark interest rate risk, Citigroup uses the "shortcut" method as SFAS 133 allows the Company to assume no ineffectiveness if the hedging relationship involves an interest-bearing financial asset or liability and an interest rate swap. In order to assume no ineffectiveness, Citigroup ensures that all the shortcut method requirements of SFAS 133 for these types of hedging relationships are met.

•

Hedging of foreign exchange risk—Citigroup hedges the change in fair value attributable to foreign exchange rate movements in available-for-sale securities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity holding the securities, which may be within or outside the U.S. Typically, the hedging instrument employed is a short-term forward foreign exchange contract. In this type of hedge, the change in fair value of the hedged available-for-sale security attributable to the portion of foreign exchange risk hedged is reported in earnings and not other comprehensive income—a process that serves to offset substantially the change in fair value of the forward contract that is also reflected in earnings. Citigroup typically considers the premium associated with forward contracts (differential between spot and contractual forward rates) as the cost of hedging; this is generally excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and reflected directly in earnings. Hedge effectiveness is typically assessed based on changes in fair value attributable to changes in spot rates on both the available-for-sale securities and the forward contracts for the portion of the relationship hedged. As a result, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness is not significant.



•

Hedging the overall changes in fair value—Citigroup primarily hedges the change in the overall fair value of portfolios of similar held-for-sale mortgage loans. Derivatives used in these hedging relationships are mainly forward sales of mortgage-backed securities. Citigroup assesses effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis using regression analysis.

Cash flow hedges

•

Hedging of benchmark interest rate risk—Citigroup hedges variable cash flows resulting from floating-rate financings, including debt, deposits with stated maturities. Variable cash flows from those financings are converted to fixed-rate cash flows by entering into receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps. Efforts are made to match all critical terms of the hedged item and the hedging derivative at inception and on an ongoing basis to eliminate hedge ineffectiveness. To the extent all critical terms are not matched, these cash flow hedging relationships use regression or dollar-offset ratio analysis to assess whether the hedging relationships are highly effective at inception and on an ongoing basis. Since efforts are made initially to align the terms of the derivatives to those hedged forecasted cash flows, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness is not significant.

        Citigroup also hedges variable cash flows resulting from investments in floating-rate available-for-sale securities, loans and receivables, as well as rollovers of short-term certificates of deposit. Variable cash flows from those assets are converted to fixed-rate cash flows by entering into receive-fixed, pay-variable interest rate swaps. These cash flow hedging relationships use regression or dollar-offset ratio analysis to assess whether the hedging relationships are highly effective at inception and on an

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ongoing basis. Efforts are made initially to align the terms of the derivatives to those hedged forecasted cash flows. As a result, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness is not significant.

•

Hedging of foreign exchange risk—Citigroup locks in the functional currency equivalent of cash flows of various balance sheet exposures, including deposits, notes and long-term debt (and the forecasted issuances, purchases or rollover of such items) that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the issuing entity. Depending on the risk management objectives, these types of hedges are designated as either cash flow hedges of only foreign exchange risk or cash flow hedges of both foreign exchange and interest rate risk. Generally, the hedging instruments used are foreign exchange forward contracts and cross-currency swaps. Citigroup matches all critical terms of the hedged item and the hedging derivative at inception and on an ongoing basis to eliminate hedge ineffectiveness. To the extent all critical terms are not matched, any ineffectiveness is measured using the "hypothetical derivative method" as described in FASB Derivative Implementation Group Issue G7. Efforts are made initially to match up the terms of the hypothetical and actual derivatives used. As a result, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness is not significant.



•

Hedging the overall changes in cash flows—In situations where the contractual rate of a variable rate asset or liability is not a benchmark rate, Citigroup designates the risk of overall changes in cash flows as the hedged risk. Citigroup primarily hedges variability in the total cash flows related to non-benchmark-rate-based liabilities, such as customer deposits with stated maturities, and uses receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps as the hedging instrument. These cash flow hedging relationships use regression or dollar-offset ratio analysis to assess effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis.

        Citigroup also hedges the forecasted purchase of mortgage-backed securities and designates the overall change in the purchase price as a hedged risk. The assessment of effectiveness is based on ensuring that the critical terms of the hedging instrument and the hedged item match exactly.

Net investment hedges

        Consistent with SFAS No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation" (SFAS 52), SFAS 133 allows hedging of the foreign currency risk of a net investment in a foreign operation. Citigroup primarily uses foreign currency forward contracts, short-term borrowings, and to a lesser extent foreign currency future contracts and foreign-currency-denominated debt instruments, to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with Citigroup's equity investments in several non-U.S. dollar functional currency foreign subsidiaries. In accordance with SFAS 52, Citigroup records the change in the carrying amount of these investments in the cumulative translation adjustment account within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Simultaneously, the effective portion of the hedge of this exposure is also recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account, and any ineffective portion of net investment hedges is immediately recorded in earnings.

        Achieving hedge accounting in compliance with SFAS 133 guidelines is extremely complex. Key aspects of achieving SFAS 133 hedge accounting are documentation of hedging strategy and hedge effectiveness at the hedge inception and substantiating hedge effectiveness on an ongoing basis. A derivative must be highly effective in accomplishing the hedge objective of offsetting either changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item for the risk being hedged. Any ineffectiveness in the hedge relationship is recognized in current earnings. The assessment of effectiveness excludes changes in the value of the hedged item that are unrelated to the risks being hedged. Similarly, the assessment of effectiveness may exclude changes in the fair value of a derivative related to time value that, if excluded, are recognized in current earnings.

        The following table summarizes certain information related to the Company's hedging activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

        The change in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 can be summarized as follows (after-tax):

        Derivatives may expose Citigroup to market, credit or liquidity risks in excess of the amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Market risk on a derivative product is the exposure created by potential fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and other values, and is a function of the type of product, the volume of transactions, the tenor and terms of the agreement, and the underlying volatility. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the transaction where the value of any collateral held is not adequate to cover such losses. The recognition in earnings of unrealized gains on these transactions is subject to management's assessment as to collectibility. Liquidity risk is the potential exposure that arises when the size of the derivative position may not be able to be rapidly adjusted in periods of high volatility and financial stress at a reasonable cost.

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