Citigroup (C)

Repositioning of the Japan Consumer Finance Business

In 2007, Citigroup announced that it would reposition its consumer finance business in Japan. This decision resulted from changes in the operating environment in the consumer finance business in Japan, and the passage on December 13, 2006, of changes to Japan’s consumer lending laws. The change in law will lower the interest rates permissible on new consumer finance loans by 2010.

In 2006, the Company recorded a $375 million after-tax ($581 million pretax) charge to increase reserves for estimated losses resulting from customer refund settlements in the business. This charge was recorded as a reduction to interest revenue on loans. The Company also recorded a $40 million after-tax ($60 million pretax) repositioning charge for costs associated with closing approximately 270 branches and 100 automated loan machines.

Repositioning of the Japan Consumer Finance Business

On January 8, 2007, Citigroup announced that it would reposition its consumer finance business in Japan. This decision is the result of changes in the operating environment in the consumer finance business in Japan, and the passage on December 13, 2006, of changes to Japan’s consumer lending laws. The change in law will lower the interest rates permissible on new consumer finance loans by 2010.

In the 2006 fourth quarter, the Company recorded a $375 million after-tax ($581 million pretax) charge to increase reserves for estimated losses resulting from customer refund settlements in the business. This charge was recorded as a reduction to interest revenue on loans. The Company also recorded a $40 million after-tax ($60 million pretax) repositioning charge for costs associated with closing approximately 270 branches and 100 automated loan machines. This repositioning is consistent with the company’s efforts to establish a lower-cost platform for the business and will enable it to compete more effectively in the new interest rate environment in Japan.