Empresas y finanzas

Citi Acquires Ecount, Inc.



    Citi markets and banking today announced that it has acquired
    Ecount, Inc., the leading provider of corporate prepaid card
    solutions, based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Ecount's products will
    be integrated into Citi's global transaction services business,
    strengthening the firm's cash management platform for corporations,
    financial institutions and governments. Terms of the agreement were
    not disclosed.

    Ecount has provided customized prepaid card solutions for
    corporations looking for simple and convenient ways to deliver
    payments, including compensation and promotions. Established in 1997,
    the company serves a base of more than 1,200 corporate clients across
    North America. Ecount's paperless payment solutions allow corporations
    to reduce costs, strengthen brand awareness and increase efficiencies.

    This acquisition strengthens Citi's leading position in global
    payments in the U.S., and it enables the launch of similar stored
    value card solutions worldwide. The prepaid card market is
    experiencing high growth, and is currently estimated at more than $2
    trillion worldwide, as corporations and consumers continue to move
    from paper checks to electronic-based payment methods.

    "Our clients are constantly looking for better ways to make
    payments, and with Ecount's innovative and comprehensive prepaid
    programs, we will be able to offer them the latest payment solutions,"
    said Ellen Alemany, Chief Executive Officer of global transaction
    services at Citi.

    "Clients want greater flexibility and more solutions to deliver
    payments electronically. By combining Citi's industry-leading payments
    products and client base, with Ecount's expertise, technology and
    distribution in stored value cards, we will be a leader across all
    North American payment channels," added Alemany.

    "Working with Citi is the ideal choice for Ecount," said Matt
    Gillin, CEO and Co-founder of Ecount. "Citi is a global leader in
    banking, with robust payment platforms, deep client relationships and
    innovative technology. This matches Ecount's position in the prepaid
    card market. Together, we will be able to optimize and strengthen our
    position in this expanding market, by developing world-class
    solutions."

    Citi's cash management platform offers its clients over 50
    global services, spanning payments, receivables, liquidity,
    investments, information services and commercial cards, and operates
    in over 100 countries. Its clients include corporations, financial
    institutions and governments.

    About Citi

    Citi markets and banking is the most complete financial partner to
    corporations, financial institutions, institutional investors and
    governments in the world. As a global leader in banking, capital
    markets, and transaction services, with a presence in many countries
    dating back more than 100 years, Citi enables clients to achieve their
    strategic financial objectives by providing them with cutting-edge
    ideas, best-in-class products and solutions, and unparalleled access
    to capital and liquidity.

    Citi, 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, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand
    names under the trademark red arc include: Citibank, CitiFinancial,
    Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may
    be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

    About Ecount

    Ecount, a Citi company, provides customized prepaid programs for
    corporations looking for a simple, convenient and cost effective way
    to deliver payments. Leveraging Citi's extensive payment platform and
    Ecount's experience and proprietary prepaid technology, corporations
    have access to an unmatched solution that enables comprehensive
    communication and unique brand extension, coupled with more immediate,
    economical payment delivery. With solutions ranging from incentives to
    compensation to specialized rewards, Ecount programs empower
    corporations looking to influence and motivate consumers, employees
    and partners. Over 1,200 leading corporations, including more than one
    third of the Fortune 100, rely on Ecount's prepaid solutions to gain a
    strategic market advantage. For more information, please visit
    ecount.com.