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The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these notes has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these notes, nor are they soliciting an offer to buy these notes, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 1, 2019 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
March-----, 2019 Medium-Term Senior Notes, Series N Pricing Supplement No. 2019-USNCH2062 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement Nos. 333-216372 and 333-216372-01 |
Callable Step-Up Coupon Notes Due March 21, 2022
| · | The notes mature on the maturity date specified below. We have the right to call the notes for mandatory redemption prior to maturity on a periodic basis on the redemption dates specified below. Unless previously redeemed, the notes pay interest periodically at a per annum rate that will increase at pre-set intervals over the term of the notes. Because of our redemption right, there is no assurance that you will receive interest payments at the higher interest rates stated below. |
| · | The notes are unsecured debt securities issued by Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. |
| · | It is important for you to consider the information contained in this pricing supplement together with the information contained in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. The description of the notes below supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with replaces, the description of the general terms of the notes set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. |
| KEY TERMS | |||
| Issuer: | Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. | ||
| Guarantee: | All payments due on the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. | ||
| Stated principal amount: | $1,000 per note | ||
| Pricing date: | March 19, 2019 | ||
| Original issue date: | March 21, 2019 | ||
| Maturity date: | March 21, 2022. If the maturity date is not a business day, then the payment required to be made on the maturity date will be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if it had been made on the maturity date. No additional interest will accrue as a result of delayed payment. | ||
| Payment at maturity: | $1,000 per note plus any accrued and unpaid interest | ||
| Interest rate per annum: |
From and including the original issue date to but excluding September 21, 2020, unless previously redeemed: 3.00% From and including September 21, 2020 to but excluding March 21, 2021, unless previously redeemed: 3.25% From and including March 21, 2021 to but excluding September 21, 2021, unless previously redeemed: 3.50% From and including September 21, 2021 to but excluding the maturity date, unless previously redeemed: 4.00% | ||
| Interest period: | The period from and including the original issue date to but excluding the immediately following interest payment date, and each successive period from and including an interest payment date to but excluding the next interest payment date | ||
| Interest payment dates: | Semi-annually on the 21st day of each March and September of each year, commencing September 21, 2019, provided that if any such day is not a business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next succeeding business day. No additional interest will accrue on that succeeding business day. Interest will be payable to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on the business day preceding each interest payment date, which we refer to as a regular record date, except that the interest payment due at maturity or upon earlier redemption will be paid to the persons who hold the notes on the maturity date or earlier date of redemption, as applicable. | ||
| Day count convention: | 30/360 Unadjusted. See “Determination of Interest Payments” in this pricing supplement. | ||
| Redemption: |
Beginning on March 21, 2020, we have the right to call the notes for mandatory redemption, in whole and not in part, on any redemption date and pay to you 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of such redemption. If we decide to redeem the notes, we will give you notice at least five business days before the redemption date specified in the notice. So long as the notes are represented by global securities and are held on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), redemption notices and other notices will be given by delivery to DTC. If the notes are no longer represented by global securities and are not held on behalf of DTC, redemption notices and other notices will be published in a leading daily newspaper in New York City, which is expected to be The Wall Street Journal. | ||
| Redemption dates: | The 21st day of each March, June, September and December beginning in March 2020, provided that if any such day is not a business day, the applicable redemption date will be the next succeeding business day. No additional interest will accrue as a result of such delay in payment. | ||
| Business day: | Any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that, in New York City, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close | ||
| Business day convention: | Following | ||
| CUSIP / ISIN: | 17326Y3K0 / US17326Y3K04 | ||
| Listing: | The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. | ||
| Underwriter: | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), an affiliate of the issuer, acting as principal. See “General Information—Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest” in this pricing supplement. | ||
| Underwriting fee and issue price: | Issue price | Underwriting fee(1) | Proceeds to issuer(2) |
| Per note: | $1,000.00 | $ | $ |
| Total: | $ | $ | $ |
(1) CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the notes, is acting as principal and if the notes priced today, would receive an underwriting fee of approximately $3.75 per note sold in this offering. In no event will the underwriting fee exceed $6.25 per note. The total underwriting fee and proceeds to issuer in the table above give effect to the actual total underwriting fee. You should refer to “Risk Factors” and “General Information—Fees and selling concessions” in this pricing supplement for more information. In addition to the underwriting fee, CGMI and its affiliates may profit from expected hedging activity related to this offering, even if the value of the notes declines. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus.
(2) The per note proceeds to issuer indicated above represent the minimum per note proceeds to issuer for any note, assuming the maximum per note underwriting fee. As noted above, the underwriting fee is variable.
Investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional fixed rate debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-2.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined that this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus are truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
You should read this pricing supplement together with the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the following hyperlink:
Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated April 7, 2017
The notes are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Risk Factors
The following is a non-exhaustive list of certain key risk factors for investors in the notes. You should read the risk factors below together with the risk factors included in the accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, including Citigroup Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which describe risks relating to the business of Citigroup Inc. more generally. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you decide to invest in the notes.
| § | The notes may be redeemed at our option, which limits your ability to accrue interest over the full term of the notes. We may redeem the notes, in whole but not in part, on any redemption date, upon not less than five business days’ notice. In the event that we redeem the notes, you will receive the principal amount of the notes and any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the applicable redemption date. In this case, you will not have the opportunity to continue to accrue and be paid interest to the maturity date of the notes. |
| § | Market interest rates at a particular time will affect our decision to redeem the notes. It is more likely that we will call the notes for redemption prior to their maturity date at a time when the interest rate on the notes is greater than that which we would pay on a comparable debt security of ours (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) with a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes. Consequently, if we redeem the notes prior to their maturity, you may not be able to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that yield as much interest as the notes. |
| § | The step-up feature presents different investment considerations than conventional fixed-rate notes. Unless general market interest rates rise significantly, you should not expect to earn the higher stated interest rates because the notes are more likely to be redeemed prior to maturity if general market interest rates remain the same or fall during the term of the notes. When determining whether to invest in the notes, you should consider, among other things, the overall annual percentage rate of interest to maturity or the various potential redemption dates as compared to other equivalent investment alternatives rather than the higher stated interest rates or any potential interest payments you may receive during the term of the notes. If general market interest rates increase beyond the rates provided by the notes during the term of the notes, we are less likely to redeem the notes, and if we do not redeem the notes investors will be holding notes that bear interest at below-market rates. |
| § | The notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc., and any actual or perceived changes to the creditworthiness of either entity may adversely affect the value of the notes. You are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. If Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. defaults on its obligations under the notes and Citigroup Inc. defaults on its guarantee obligations, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the value of the notes will be affected by changes in the market’s view of the creditworthiness of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. or Citigroup Inc. Any decline, or anticipated decline in the credit ratings of either entity, or any increase or anticipated increase in the credit spreads of either entity, is likely to adversely affect the value of the notes. |
| § | The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the notes. CGMI currently intends to make a secondary market in relation to the notes and to provide an indicative bid price for the notes on a daily basis. Any indicative bid price for the notes provided by CGMI will be determined in CGMI’s sole discretion, taking into account prevailing market conditions and other relevant factors, and will not be a representation by CGMI that the notes can be sold at that price or at all. CGMI may suspend or terminate making a market and providing indicative bid prices without notice, at any time and for any reason. If CGMI suspends or terminates making a market, there may be no secondary market at all for the notes because it is likely that CGMI will be the only broker-dealer that is willing to buy your notes prior to maturity. Accordingly, an investor must be prepared to hold the notes until maturity. |
| § | Immediately following issuance, any secondary market bid price provided by CGMI, and the value that will be indicated on any brokerage account statements prepared by CGMI or its affiliates, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will steadily decline to zero over the temporary adjustment period. See “General Information—Temporary adjustment period” in this pricing supplement. |
| § | Secondary market sales of the notes may result in a loss of principal. You will be entitled to receive at least the full stated principal amount of your notes, subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc., only if you hold the notes to maturity or redemption. If you are able to sell your notes in the secondary market prior to maturity or redemption, you are likely to receive less than the stated principal amount of the notes. |
| § | The inclusion of underwriting fees and projected profit from hedging in the issue price is likely to adversely affect secondary market prices. Assuming no changes in market conditions or other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which CGMI may be willing to purchase the notes in secondary market transactions will likely be lower than the issue price since the issue price of the notes will include, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude, any underwriting fees paid with respect to the notes, as well as the cost of hedging our obligations under the notes. The cost of hedging includes the projected profit that our affiliates may realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in managing the hedging transactions. The secondary market prices for the notes are also likely to be reduced by the costs of unwinding the related hedging transactions. Our affiliates may realize a profit from the expected hedging activity even if the value of the notes declines. In addition, any secondary market prices for the notes may differ from values determined by pricing models used by CGMI, as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups or other transaction costs. |
PS-2
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
| § | The price at which you may be able to sell your notes prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount you originally invest. A number of factors will influence the value of the notes in any secondary market that may develop and the price at which CGMI may be willing to purchase the notes in any such secondary market, including: interest rates in the market and the volatility of such rates, the time remaining to maturity of the notes, hedging activities by our affiliates, any fees and projected hedging fees and profits, expectations about whether we are likely to redeem the notes and any actual or anticipated changes in the credit ratings, financial condition and results of either Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. or Citigroup Inc. The value of the notes will vary and is likely to be less than the issue price at any time prior to maturity or redemption, and sale of the notes prior to maturity or redemption may result in a loss. |
| General Information | |
| Temporary adjustment period: | For a period of approximately three months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which CGMI would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that will be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements prepared by CGMI or its affiliates (which value CGMI may also publish through one or more financial information vendors), will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from the price or value that would otherwise be determined. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of the hedging profit expected to be realized by CGMI or its affiliates over the term of the notes. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the three-month temporary adjustment period. However, CGMI is not obligated to buy the notes from investors at any time. See “Risk Factors—The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity.” |
| U.S. federal income tax considerations: |
The notes will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as fixed rate debt instruments that are issued without original issue discount. See “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Original Issue Discount” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for further information regarding the treatment under the original issue discount rules of debt instruments that are subject to early redemption.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. persons considering an investment in the notes should read the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for more information. The discussion of the “FATCA” withholding tax regime in “United States Federal Tax Considerations—FATCA” is hereby modified to reflect regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department indicating an intent to eliminate the requirement under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds of the disposition of affected financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. |
| Trustee: | The Bank of New York Mellon (as trustee under an indenture dated March 8, 2016) will serve as trustee for the notes. |
| Use of proceeds and hedging: |
The net proceeds received from the sale of the notes will be used for general corporate purposes and, in part, in connection with hedging our obligations under the notes through one or more of our affiliates.
Hedging activities related to the notes by one or more of our affiliates involves trading in one or more instruments, such as options, swaps and/or futures, and/or taking positions in any other available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging and may include adjustments to such positions during the term of the notes. It is possible that our affiliates may profit from this hedging activity, even if the value of the notes declines. Profit or loss from this hedging activity could affect the price at which Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.’s affiliate, CGMI, may be willing to purchase your notes in the secondary market. For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus. |
| ERISA and IRA purchase considerations: | Please refer to “Benefit Plan Investor Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for important information for investors that are ERISA or other benefit plans or whose underlying assets include assets of such plans. |
| Fees and selling concessions: | CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the notes, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting fee of up to $6.25 for each note sold in this offering. The actual underwriting fee will be equal to up to $6.25 for each note sold by CGMI directly to the public and will otherwise be equal to the selling concession provided to selected dealers, as described in this paragraph. CGMI will pay selected dealers a selling concession of up |
PS-3
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
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to $6.25 for each note they sell.
Additionally, it is possible that CGMI and its affiliates may profit from expected hedging activity related to this offering, even if the value of the notes declines. You should refer to “Risk Factors” above and the section “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus. | |
| Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest: |
The terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Global Selling Agency Agreement dated April 7, 2017 among Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., Citigroup Inc. and the agents named therein, including CGMI, govern the sale and purchase of the notes.
In order to hedge its obligations under the notes, Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. expects to enter into one or more swaps or other derivatives transactions with one or more of its affiliates. You should refer to the section “General Information—Use of proceeds and hedging” in this pricing supplement and the section “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus.
See “Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for more information. |
| Paying agent: | Citibank, N.A. will serve as paying agent and registrar and will also hold the global security representing the notes as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). |
| Contact: | Clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third party distributors may contact Citi Structured Investment Sales at (212) 723-7005. |
We encourage you to also read the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed via the hyperlink on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
Determination of Interest Payments
On each interest payment date, the amount of each interest payment will equal (i) the stated principal amount of the notes multiplied by the interest rate in effect during the applicable interest period divided by (ii) 2. If we call the notes for mandatory redemption on a redemption date that is not also an interest payment date, the amount of interest included in the payment you receive upon redemption will equal (i) the stated principal amount of the notes multiplied by the interest rate in effect during the applicable interest period divided by (ii) 4.
Certain Selling Restrictions
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The contents of this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”). Investors are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If investors are in any doubt about any of the contents of this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, they should obtain independent professional advice.
The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document, other than
| (i) | to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures (whether as principal or agent); or |
| (ii) | to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “Securities and Futures Ordinance”) and any rules made under that Ordinance; or |
| (iii) | in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance; and |
There is no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Non-insured Product: These notes are not insured by any governmental agency. These notes are not bank deposits and are not covered by the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme.
Singapore
This pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the notes will be offered pursuant to exemptions under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “Securities and Futures Act”). Accordingly, the notes may not be offered or sold or made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase nor may this pricing supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale or invitation for subscription or purchase of any notes be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in
PS-4
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, (b) to a relevant person under Section 275(1) of the Securities and Futures Act or to any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the Securities and Futures Act and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the Securities and Futures Act. Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act by a relevant person which is:
| (a) | a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or |
| (b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the Securities and Futures Act) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interests (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the relevant securities pursuant to an offer under Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act except: |
| (i) | to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the Securities and Futures Act or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the Securities and Futures Act; or |
| (ii) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or |
| (iii) | where the transfer is by operation of law; or |
| (iv) | pursuant to Section 276(7) of the Securities and Futures Act; or |
| (v) | as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore. |
Any notes referred to herein may not be registered with any regulator, regulatory body or similar organization or institution in any jurisdiction.
The notes are Specified Investment Products (as defined in the Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products and Notice on the Sale of Investment Product issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on 28 July 2011) that is neither listed nor quoted on a securities market or a futures market.
Non-insured Product: These notes are not insured by any governmental agency. These notes are not bank deposits. These notes are not insured products subject to the provisions of the Deposit Insurance and Policy Owners’ Protection Schemes Act 2011 of Singapore and are not eligible for deposit insurance coverage under the Deposit Insurance Scheme.
Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
| a) | the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following: |
| (i) | a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or |
| (ii) | a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or |
| (iii) | not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC; and |
| b) | the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes. |
Additional Information
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify any offering of the notes and to reject orders in whole or in part prior to their issuance.
© 2019 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. All rights reserved. Citi and Citi and Arc Design are trademarks and service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates and are used and registered throughout the world.
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