1. FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Citigroup Inc.
(NYSE: C)
One in four Australians faced financial trouble in last 12 months
Citi-FT Financial Education Summit brings global experts together
Sydney, 23 November 2010: New research released today from Citi shows that one in four
Australians faced financial trouble in the last 12 months. Of those, two in three (62%)
borrowed money from friends and family, and one in two (50%) maxed out their credit card.
Other findings showed 21 percent of Australians couldn’t afford to pay household bills on
time in the last year and 12 percent couldn’t afford to buy food and groceries. The figures
were much higher amongst low income households.
The research was commissioned by Citi and conducted by The Australia Institute for this
year’s Citi-FT Financial Education Summit which takes place in Sydney on 1 and 2
December. The research is part of a report titled Evidence versus emotion: how do we really
make financial decisions which will be released at the Summit.
Stephen Roberts, Citi Country Officer for Citi Australia said financial education was one of
the company’s highest priorities. “The global financial crisis has shown us that now more
than ever, it’s vital that people are better informed about the financial decisions they make.”
Now in its seventh year, the Citi-FT Financial Education Summit has become the most
established, annual international forum on financial literacy. Organised by the Citi
Foundation, the Pearson Foundation and the Financial Times and sponsored by IFC - a
member of the World Bank Group - Visa, AIA and Prudential, the theme of the 2010 Summit
is Mind Over Money: Influencing Positive Financial Behaviour and will draw on the
emerging field of behavioural economics.
Louise Martin, Head of Community Relations at Citi Australia said the findings show we
need fresh ways to tackle the financial education crisis. “Our report identifies a range of
categories to describe the way people make financial decisions. These offer a really
practical insight and will be a valuable tool for people who are involved in financial education
and counselling programs.”
The 2010 Citi-FT Financial Education Summit is expected to draw more than 250
representatives of government agencies, financial institutions, multilateral bodies, non-profit
organisations, educational groups and private enterprise from Australia, Asia Pacific and
beyond.

2. 2/2
The two-day conference will focus on showcasing innovative, best practice financial
education programs from around the world covering key segments such as youth, women,
mainstream consumers and marginalised communities.
The program will also include keynote addresses from Rachel Robins, Vice President and
General Counsel, IFC and Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner and
Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination, Australian Human Rights Commission.
Other Summit participants will include Ian McAuley (University of Canberra), Tony D’Aloisio
(ASIC), Adele Atkinson (OECD), Robert Holzmann, (World Bank) and international
speakers from countries that include Thailand, U.S., India, Philippines, U.K. and Singapore.
Summit media passes
Media are invited to attend but are requested to register their interest with Leila Dean by
12.00pm, Tuesday November 30. A media registration desk will be set up at the venue –
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney.
Copies of the Evidence versus emotion report will be available on 30 November through
AAP MediaNet. More information about the Citi-FT Financial Education Summit, including
the full program can be found at www.financialeducationsummit.org.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1. The Australia Institute conducted an online survey of 1,180 adult Australians in October 2010.
Respondents were sourced from a reputable online panel provider, and quotas were applied to
ensure a representative sample of the broader Australian population by gender, age and household
income. Respondents were provided with a small incentive ($1.50 each) so as to encourage
participation but not attract ‘professional’ respondents.
Media enquiries:
Leila Dean T: (02) 8225 1223 M: 0404 509 894 Leila.dean@citi.com
Serena Rogers: M: 0421 759 262 serena@tai.org.au
About Citi
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. Citi's major
brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Banamex, and Nikko. Additional information
may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.au
Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of individuals
and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where we work so that they can improve
their standard of living. Globally, the Citi Foundation targets its strategic giving to priority focus areas:
Microfinance, Enterprise Development, Youth Education and Livelihoods, and Financial Capability
and Asset Building. The Citi Foundation works with its partners in Microfinance and Enterprise
Development to support environmental programs and innovations. Additional information can be
found at www.citifoundation.com.