upn-taipei news-bank-2010-12-18-07-Taipei Christmas City Shines in Blue

Taipei Christmas City Shines in Blue
Citibank presents Finland-style Christmas to bring Taiwan closer to world

With blue carpets and blue overpasses, the Chante Square, which located in Xinyi district, Taipei, turned into a sea of blue lights when 400 meter-long strings of bulbs switched on at the lighting ceremony held today, December 18.

Taiwan’s Vice President Wan-Chang Siew, Taipei City Vice Mayor Wen‐Hsiang Chiu, Citibank Taiwan Chairman Victor Kuan and other guests were present to witness the magical moment.

To create an unusual Christmas experience, Citibank, Taipei City Government and Finland Trade Center co-sponsored the construction of the 2010 Taipei Christmas City on the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Chante Square.

The Santa Claus Office, Christmas House, post-box and sled copied from Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland, will be presented in Taipei from December 18 to 26. A licensed Santa Claus and Christmas fairies will also fly in from Finland to celebrate the holidays with people in Taiwan.

Citibank offers innovative services to bring Taiwan to the world

Citibank Taiwan Chairman Victor Kuan said during the lighting ceremony that since Citibank was established 46 years ago, it has upheld the principle of “client excellence” and is dedicated to providing Taiwanese consumers with innovative services and experiences. Citibank also serves as the bridge to link Taiwan with the world. Latest examples include introducing the “Smart Banking” concept into Taiwan and sponsoring the former US president Bill Clinton’s leadership forum in November.

Citibank once again brings Taiwan closer to the world, allowing Taiwanese consumers to experience the unique blue Christmas from Finland without having to go abroad.

Apart from the sea of blue lights and original Christmas elements from Finland, Citibank has installed a five-meter-tall Christmas tree with two 120-inch LED screens for the public to make wishes. By sending text messages via the mobile Internet, consumers can share their Christmas wishes and photos that would be displayed on the LED screens instantly.

Christmas fortune boxes to be sold for fundraising drive

To fill every corner in Taiwan with happiness and blessings, Citibank will hold a charity sale of Christmas fortune boxes as part of the 2010 Citi-United Way Fundraising Campaign. It aims at raising NT$100 million by the end of February, 2011, which will make one of the best gifts to celebrate the ROC’s 100th year.

To encourage Citibank credit cardholders to support the charity spirits of “1+1>2,” Citibank prepares to give out additional gifts for donors during the Taipei Christmas City activities.
On top of the sweet heart bunny giveaways, Citibank credit cardholders who make donations of NT$2,000 or more on the cards, at Citibank’s booth, will be awarded a NT$200 voucher at designated restaurants. An additional Vieshow Cinemas ticket will be given when their donations top NT$5,000.
Cardholders making donations of NT$888 and above can also participate Citibank’s triple reward program(1) which is effective till February 16, 2011.
On the afternoon of Sunday, December 19, the Citi-United Way Fundraising Campaign will hold a charity sale of Christmas fortune boxes on the main stage of the Chante Square. With a cash donation of NT$300 to help those in need, participants would be given one Christmas fortune box, a gift of love for themselves.

More importantly, Citibank will present a series of exciting activities on Christmas Eve, December 24, including a mini jazz concert, a parade led by Finland Santa Claus and Christmas fairies, and a Blue Christmas Eve party in the evening for the public to experience a unique blue holiday.


Program schedules on Citibank’s Blue Christmas Eve at 2010 Taipei Christmas City
Time Activity Location
11am – 9:30pm
Sunday, December 19 to Sunday, December 26 The public can upload
photos and wishes onto
Citibank’s LED Christmas tree Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Chante Square
3pm – 6:30pm
Sunday, December 19 Charity sale of Christmas fortune boxes by Citi-United Way Fundraising Campaign Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Chante Square


Friday, December 24 12pm – 2pm
Christmas jazz concert Plaza outside Citibank’s headquarters at
1 Songzhi Road
4pm Inauguration ceremony for Citibank’s Christmas Marketing Wall Citibank branch on 1st floor of 1 Songzhi Road
4:30pm Citibank’s Blue Christmas Eve parade Xinyi district / Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Chante Square
7pm Citibank’s Blue Christmas Eve party Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Chante Square
11am – 4pm
Saturday, December 25
11am – 7pm
Sunday, December 26 Photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Christmas fairies from Finland Main stage on Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Chante Square
(Note: Organizers reserve the right to modify the events)

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(1) The triple reward program means consumption made on credit cards will be awarded three times of the bonus points or gifts, including the original corresponding bonus points or gifts. Cardholders shall call (02) 2576-8000 ext. 0888 or register on the program’s website to confirm their qualifications and collect the rewards. A total of 188,888 bonus points are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each cardholder can obtain a maximum of 30,000 bonus points on the Citi Rewards program, a maximum of NT$3,000 in cash by redeeming bonus points, a maximum of 16,000 miles on mileage accumulation, a maximum of 30,000 bonus points on the Diners Club reward program, and a maximum of 16,000 bonus points on the Happy Go reward program.


Be cautious when using credit cards
Citibank credit cards charge a revolving interest of between 6.88% and 20%. Diners Club cards charge an annual revolving interest of between 16.75% and 18%. February 16, 2009 is the base date to calculate the revolving interest.
Handling fees on cash advance: The amount of cash withdrawn from cash advance times 3.5% plus NT$100. Please refer to Citibank’s website at www.citibank.com.tw for information about other charges.



About Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. 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. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.