Citigroup Taps .NET Tech From Microsoft

Citigroup plans to use Microsoft .NET technologies, including Passport and .NET Alerts, to streamline and enhance customer access to Citigroup's products on the Internet.

By using these new technologies from Microsoft, Citigroup will offer its customers new levels of convenience and choice to access and navigate multiple Web sites, and improve the overall online experience by providing customers greater control and customization capabilities.

Microsoft's Passport system will allow customers visiting Passport-enabled Citigroup sites to be automatically identified after signing in. Customers will then be authenticated by Citigroup using Citigroup passwords before being granted access to personal information or being able to conduct financial transactions. Customers will also be able to gain access to other Passport-enabled sites operated by Microsoft or third parties without having to enter any further user IDs.

The move complements Citigroup's online services, according to Sir Deryck Maughan, vice chairman of Citigroup and head of its Internet operating group. "Citi- group provides a comprehensive set of online products and payment services to its customers, and these new .NET technologies from Microsoft will make it easier and more convenient for our customers to do business with us on the Internet."

Citigroup currently has over 16 million online accounts worldwide, spanning banking, brokerage, credit cards and other services. Citi Cards, the largest provider of credit cards in the U.S with more than 94 million accounts, will be the first Citigroup business to offer its online users streamlined access services using Passport.