HONGKONG, CHINA - Media OutReach  - November 5, 2018 - Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) - Citibanksponsored Hong Kong FinTech Week again, gathering industry participants andother stakeholders to exchange views and share experiences, actively promotingthe diversification and sustainability of FinTech ecosystem. Apart fromsponsoring the event and setting up booth demonstrations, Stephen Bird, CEO of Citi's Global Consumer Banking, Angel Ng, CEO forCiti Hong Kong and Macau, and management from Citi in different regionsincluding Jan Metzger, Asia Pacific Head of Citi's Corporate & Investment Banking,Sesh Subramanyam, Asia Pacific Head of Citi's Information Security, and FelimyGreene, Regional Head of Customer Franchise, Citi Asia Pacific, delivered theirspeech and attended panel discussions, showing full support to Hong Kong FinTechWeek and fostering communication on FinTech topics in the industry.

Stephen Bird, CEO of Citi's Global Consumer Banking, joinedthe panel discussion led by Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Chief ExecutiveNorman Chan to explore with other FI representatives on the future of digitalfinance.

Angel Ng, CEO for Citi Hong Kong and Macau, introduced the topic of"Open API" (Application Programming Interface) using an interesting analogy,"API works like an adaptor that links up devices to various wall sockets indifferent formats. It helps different application systems to connect with eachother easily." As the first bank in the Hong Kong market to open API, Angeladded, "Open API is to open up proprietary API for third party usage. In thisway, we can partner with various parties to provide a digital ecosystem forcustomers, who nowadays prefer multi-tasking in one go."

Angel also highlighted how opening API adds value to customers, "OpenAPI is critical for banks, because we want to bring banking to where customersare and to make banking transactions seamless in their lives." She said thefuture of banking is about partnership, "Banks should evolve from providingproducts and services to becoming a trusted platform or partner to cater forcustomers' needs together with merchants."

Citi has launched various API partnerships with HKTVmall, EGLTours, Fortress, Watsons, Octopus and AIA.

Citibank has showcased its latest FinTech developmentprojects during the event period and received hot response from industrypractitioners. Over 200 attendants participated in the Open ApplicationProgramming Interface (API) workshops.