I've had credit cards from a number of vendors (Discover, Chase, Citibank, MBNA). This is the worst company I've worked with. I pay off my balance every month (which is probably why they don't like me). I got a Citibank card a little over a month ago and get paperless statements. I went online to pay my bill as I've done with every other credit card I've ever owned. When I tried to set up my checking account information, it asked me for a "secret phrase that I created when I set up my account." No matter what I tried, this did not work. There was a link to "get a hint," but that did not work. Since I signed up for paperless statements, I don't get a bill I can pay by mail. I called customer service to pay off my balance (either with a different credit card or by check - I didn't care), and they told me that there was a $14.95 fee to pay off my balance by phone. Ridiculous! I can't pay by mail, I can't pay online, and they want to charge ~$15 to pay by phone? I've never experienced that with another CC vendor. Their online interface is *absolutely awful*, and I used to have a Chase card!
I kept my savings with Citibank until they lowered my interest rate without any notification. This is my one complaint with the bank, other than that I have enjoyed using their card for my checking account and especially enjoyed their policy of reimbursing atm fees for non-bank atms. I've lost my card several times and they have always been very prompt to send me a replacement.
Follow the terms of your account strictly. There is no flexibility. You mess up, too bad. Conversely, the bank won't screw around either -- it abides by the rules. In other words, business is business as to the banking side. The computer site for on-line banking is neat and highly functional. It is also very reliable. The ATM system is also very good and I have seen the expansion to other areas such as the DC-Metro area and South Florida -- the more well-to-do parts of the USA, making access a bit easier. Just don't go to less populated areas without a 711 convenience store (recent data theft aside). As to the brokerage/investment, non-FDIC side, it is messed up, especially the self-directed brokerage part. I say that with reticence because the potential for having everything under one "roof" is great and I have been hoping for Citigroup to make this part better. The self-directed brokerage is not part of Citibank. Rather it is attached to another Citigroup subsidiary called Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. or CGMI. Smith Barney is really CGMI. The self directed part, MyFi, is also CGMI and it is in total flux. Fees are partially undisclosed at this time. Smith Barney advisors seem to be out for their own pockets -- one nice chap did not really know what SPIC insurance did. Another once wanted to sell me an annuitiy inside an IRA because it was paying a good return; my IRA is where I have any assets. Hmmm. Stay with the banking side, be careful about CGMI -- Smith Barney/MyFi.
have nothing bad to say about Citi bank. got several credit cards with them, a line of credit, as well as my mortgage. customer service is always good on the phone and the wait is usually short at all hours of the day. if they had local branches where I live, I would definitely open a checking and savings account with them as well.
Citibank may be different elsewhere but in Karachi Pakistan, Citibank Managers of Credit Collection & Personal Loan Department are nothing but cheap hoodlums. Even if you are an old customer and have been paying off your installment regularly for years, and even if you have sent prior intimation regarding temporary financial difficulties, just miss a couple of installments and you will get several hundred calls a week from some very nasty people. They will intimidate, threaten, embarrass, ridicule and nag you to death. Yes, a few people have committed suicide due to goons sent by banks to their homes and offices. This is what is being blatantly practiced by Citibank and ABN Amro. Instead of taking legal action, these banks send in their hoodlums for debt collection. This practice is rife in Karachi, Pakistan and must be stopped. It is unethical, immoral and illegal.
i have a checking and savings account with citibank along with a number of their credit cards and i've been really happy with their service. i love how everything can be connected (credit card balances can be shown on your checking webpage) and their thankyou network rewards program is really good (although it has gone down over the years).
I've been with Citibank for over 8 years and have been a very happy customer. It's one of the more international banks, which is very helpful in case anything happens while you're traveling - like losing a wallet (which is what happened to me)
Citibank offers good service and good rates. I have a checking and a money market account that pays interest as high as any internet bank.
I really like Citibank, I've been using them for almost 5 years. I have Checking, Money Market & Checking Plus with them. The Checking Plus is a big help in avoiding fees due to "Oops, I forgot about that check." Save one or two minor issues, i've never had any problems!
