Citi offers payment holiday for flood victims

Manila, Philippines -  Citi is offering a payment holiday to credit cardholders of Citibank and Citibank Savings, as well as Citibank Savings personal loan customers, who were affected by the flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon.

Affected clients may ask for a relief of 30 days to settle their outstanding balances, by calling the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995-9999. Qualified cardholders and personal loan customers will be entitled to an extra 30 days to settle their outstanding balance from their most recent payment due date. 

Late payment charges will be waived, but interest charges will accrue on the balance.

Citi country officer Sanjiv Vohra explained that their move is intended to ensure continued access to credit for their impacted customers.

“This is one way we can provide assistance to our customers, following the devastation wrought by southwest monsoon. This program will give them time to settle their card bill or loan account as well as enjoy continued access to credit, which should be very useful to them in their current situation,” Vohra added.

This is the second time for Citi in the Philippines to declare a payment holiday. 

The first time was during typhoon Ondoy, when Metro Manila was also brought to a standstill, with many areas inundated by floods and homes destroyed. 

At that time, Citi’s payment holiday was extended to targeted areas hardest hit by typhoon Ondoy.

“This time, we wanted to cast a wider net, and ensure that we make assistance available to all persons who need it. We invite our clients to contact us should they wish to avail of this special arrangement” the Citi chief executive explained.

Citi also teamed up with Philippine Red Cross (PRC), naming the latter as one of the charity beneficiaries in its rewards program. Citi cardholders may use their rewards points to make a cash donation to PRC. Every 1,000 rewards points will be equivalent to a P100 donation.

Citi cardholders can also donate via Citi Mobile Payments towards ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya. To donate, clients who are enrolled in Citi Mobile only need to text CITIGIVE<space>KAPAMILYA<space>AMOUNT<space>MPIN to 2201 for Globe and Sun subscribers and 350 for Smart subscribers.

 For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph.