Sears Names Citi Cards as a Partner in Progress

    Business Editors/Banking Writers

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Citi Cards, the world's largest provider of credit cards, has been named as Sears Partner in Progress for 2004.
    This prestigious award is presented annually to a select group of companies that have provided Sears, Roebuck and Co. and its customers with quality products and services, from apparel, appliances and tools to marketing, transportation services and technology. More than 10,000 sources competed for this award in 2004.
    Ed Garofalo, Executive Vice President, Citi Cards, Gwen Mannarino, Senior Vice President, Citi Cards and Leslie McNamara, Senior Vice President, Citi Cards were honored on April 12 at an event hosted by Sears Holdings Corporation Vice Chairman and CEO, Alan J. Lacy at the company's headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
    Started more than 20 years ago, the Partners in Progress program recognizes those partners that make significant contributions to the growth of Sears' businesses and the creation of new ways to better serve Sears' customers.
    "We are honored to receive this recognition from Sears, just sixteen months after the partnership formed," said Ed Garofalo. "This award truly symbolizes the dedication and initiative shown by Citi Cards' employees to serve the needs of Sears' customers and make this partnership a true success.
    "It is evident that Citigroup and Sears share the same corporate values: the commitment to our customers, our shareholders and to the communities in which we live and operate. These principles have truly solidified the working relationship and have strengthened our businesses."

    About Citi Cards

    Citi Cards, or Citi, is a member of Citigroup (NYSE:C). Citigroup, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Travelers Life and Annuity. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

    About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

    Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation, is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 870 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 14 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck Web site at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation Web site at www.searsholdings.com.

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CONTACT: Citigroup Janis Tarter, 415-658-4256 or Sears Chris Brathwaite, 847-286-4681

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING RETAIL MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Citi Cards

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