Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S A : Citi Handlowy launches a campaign for its 150th annivers

11th December 2020

In 2020, Citi Handlowy is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its operation and of supporting progress. It is a unique anniversary not only in Poland, but also in Europe, and has been celebrated by supporting clients, employees and the local community. The bank has implemented, among others, the #SilentHeroes campaign, under which, together with its employees and clients, the bank has supported the healthcare services in the fight against the pandemic. The end of the year will see the launch of a campaign commemorating the anniversary of the oldest Polish commercial bank and one of the oldest, continuously operating banks in Europe.

The support for the healthcare services is a unique way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the bank's operation in this unprecedented year. In the first weeks of the pandemic, the Citi Handlowy Foundation and Citi volunteers financed, among others, over 8,300 meals for paramedics. Citi volunteers made face masks and prepared packages for seniors. The bank has donated 2 mobile respirators, over 1,000 PPE sets (masks, protective visors, coveralls), 6 cutting-edge, portable ultrasound devices, 1 videolaryngoscope and PPE for the medical services in Warsaw and Olsztyn. More than 100 computers for e-education were donated to orphanages. The bank and the employees also financed the planting of a forest (2 hectares), which has been legally secured against logging. In addition, the bank launched CyberMocna Szkoła (CyberStrong School), a series of online workshops for teachers, to help them organize engaging and safe online classes. At present, the CyberMocna Szkoła program has almost 600 teacher-participants from all over Poland and, given the great response, Citi Handlowy Foundation, which coordinates the Bank's CSR activities, is already planning to scale the project. More than 2,000 #CitiVolunteers volunteers (employees and clients) were engaged in support initiatives this year.

- When I talked of being bold in taking on challenges, none of us realized what we would have to face this year. We have proven this year that we can achieve great things if only we work together. We provided support to those who needed it, fighting on the front line of defense against the pandemic. We planted a 'forest forever' for the future generations. And we implemented new solutions for our clients while maintaining business continuity. This solidarity, for which I am truly grateful, is the best measure of progress in the 150-year history of the bank, - says Sławomir S. Sikora, President of Citi Handlowy.

Today, the bank is launching a campaign summarizing the bank's anniversary. The core message of the campaign focuses on progress and support for clients, employees and the community, which has taken on a completely different meaning this year. The campaign will be based on a 90-second spot, available on the website dedicated to the bank's anniversary. The videos feature the Bank's employees. 30-second versions of the spot will be played in the biggest Polish online portals. The 4-week campaign has been designed by Spark Foundry, and the spot was prepared by Golden Submarine.

Citi Handlowy is the oldest bank in Poland that has operated uninterruptedly for so long. Throughout the years, the bank has supported the development of Polish entrepreneurship and innovations. It delivered financial solutions and supported the ambitions and plans of its clients, their desire to spread their wings and implement innovative solutions. It has been 150 years of progress for Poland and with Poland.

Established in Warsaw in 1870 by an outstanding entrepreneur and philanthropist, Leopold Kronenberg, the bank soon became the leader of the Polish financial market. Before the outbreak of World War I, our Bank was the biggest private bank in the Polish lands and one of few banks that provided financial services in trading with Russia and Western Europe. It survived two world wars operating uninterruptedly. Twenty years ago, Citi - the world's biggest financial institution - became a majority shareholder of the company. Thus, it gave it impetus to expand its offer to global markets by providing the global know-how from cooperation with international companies, which has been gained over 200 years. Nowadays, Citi Handlowy is a bank of first choice for big clients who pursue development and innovations unlimited by administrative divisions.

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