Broadway Credit Card Trust advises that Citi Cards Canada Inc. has entered
into an agreement with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for the sale of
MasterCard credit card assets
TORONTO, June 14 /CNW/ - Citi Cards Canada Inc. ("Citi Cards") announced today that Citi Cards has agreed to sell a substantial portion of the assets comprising its MasterCard credit card business to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC"). Citi Cards is the administrative agent of Broadway Credit Card Trust ("Broadway") and the seller and servicer under Broadway's securitization program. The press release of Citi Cards related to the sale transaction is attached as Schedule "A".
Completion of the sale transaction will be subject to Citi Cards obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, to certain closing conditions for the benefit of CIBC or Citi Cards, and to the satisfaction of certain other conditions, including obtaining required consents to proposed changes to Broadway's securitization program. Such changes are proposed to include:
- The assignment to CIBC of Citi Cards' rights and obligations under the securitization program as and from the closing of the sale transaction, including as the seller and servicer of the pool of receivables and other financial assets (the "Pool") backing Broadway's outstanding debt securities, and as Broadway's administrative agent. - Steps to improve the overall performance of the Pool, including the removal from the Pool of certain non-performing accounts.
It is anticipated that these and other proposed changes will be described in an information circular to be prepared by Broadway in connection with obtaining the required consents and approvals, which would be made available to Broadway's investors. Implementation of the proposed changes to the securitization program at closing would be subject to certain requirements applicable under the securitization program, including that the proposed changes not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the ratings ascribed to Broadway's rated debt securities.
Citi Cards will remain available for a period following the closing of the sale transaction to provide portfolio and securitization services, as a sub-servicer and as a sub-administrative agent on behalf of CIBC, and to assist with the transition of servicing and administrative activities to CIBC.
Schedule "A" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) June 14, 2010 CITI SELLS CANADIAN MASTERCARD BUSINESS
Citi today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian MasterCard business to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sale will reduce Citi's assets in Citi Holdings by approximately $2 billion (Cdn) and is not expected to have a material impact on Citi's net income or capital ratios. The transaction is expected to close by October 31, 2010, and is subject to regulatory approvals and usual closing conditions for such sales.
"This transaction demonstrates the continued progress we are making in our efforts to divest non-core assets," said Vikram Pandit, Chief Executive Officer of Citi. "Our team continues to pursue opportunities to reduce assets in Citi Holdings in a way that will create value for our stakeholders."
"Citi remains committed to delivering on its global strategy in Canada which includes a focus on the growth of our core businesses," Mr. Pandit added. "With this sale behind us, we will continue to focus on growing our Global Banking, Global Transaction Services and Citi Private Bank organizations, leveraging Citi's unique global reach to the benefit of our clients."
The sale of this business is consistent with Citi's strategy to reduce the assets and businesses within Citi Holdings in an economically rational manner while working to generate long-term profitability and growth from Citicorp, which comprises its core franchise.
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. Through Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides 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, transaction services, and wealth management. In Canada, Citi employs approximately 4,600 individuals across the country in a range of consumer and institutional businesses. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.
Statements regarding the asset, net income and/or capital ratio impact of the transaction, anticipated timing of the closing of the transaction, as well as the continued pursuit of opportunities within Citi Holdings, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including completion of the analysis of the impact of the transaction to Citi and the continued successful execution of Citi's strategy with respect to Citi Holdings. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties that may affect Citi's future results, see Citi's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available on www.sec.gov or www.citigroup.com.
Contacts: --------- Canadian media Troy Underhill (905) 755-3399 U.S. media Shannon Bell (212) 793-6206 Investors John Andrews (212) 559-2718
For further information: Hannah Sorscher, Chief Financial Officer, Citi Cards Canada Inc., administrative agent of Broadway Credit Card Trust, 905.755.3123
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