Citi gives cardholders up-to-date info via SMS

MANILA, Philippines - Citibank is expanding its mobile phone-based services with the introduction of SMS banking for its more than one million credit cardholders in the country.

Subscribers of Globe, Smart and Sun can now simply send a text message to Citibank to inquire about their available credit balance, total amount due, minimum amount due, and payment due date.

“Speed has become a key differentiator for companies today when serving clients. How soon can you get that loan approved? Release a credit card? Serve that meal? At Citi, we have been pushing the limits of technology to deliver best-in-class services to our customers, and we are happy to be able to do that with SMS banking,” said Mark Jones, country business manager of Citibank Philippines’ Global Consumer Group.

Cecille Fonacier, customer franchise director, said, “With SMS banking, we are giving our customers another accessible channel to receive information on their account. We understand their needs — from fast-paced lifestyles to frequent traveling — and being able to get their account information on-demand is very convenient, not to mention welcome.”

The simple interface is expected to make SMS banking popular among Citibank cardholders. To check for Citibank card available balance, just text CITI <space> BAL <space> the last eight digits of your Citibank Card, then send to 2201. Example, CITI BAL 12345678.  

To know your total amount due, minimum amount due, and payment due date, just text CITI <space> BILL <space> the last eight digits of your Citi Card, and send to 2201. Example, CITI BILL 12345678.

“Cardholders do not need to fill out forms and enroll for this service. Any cardholder whose mobile number is already in our records can begin to enjoy SMS banking. Those who are already using Citi Mobile can go right ahead and text in,” Fonacier said.

The continued popularity of text messaging among Filipinos is driving Citibank to explore the use of this platform. Six months ago, the country’s leading credit card company also launched mobile payments with Citi Mobile, allowing cardholders to pay for purchases from their mobile phone, without swiping their plastic.

A first not just in the Philippines but around the world, Citi Mobile allows cardholders to order food and flowers for delivery to another location, reload prepaid phones for family and friends, buy prepaid Internet load, and pay utility bills, then charge to their card through their mobile phones.