|
This Amended and Restated Pricing Supplement No. 2024-USNCH24606 is being filed to revise pricing date, original issue date, maturity date, interest payment dates, redemption dates and interest rate per annum. 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 NOVEMBER 21, 2024 | |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
December , 2024 Medium-Term Senior Notes, Series N Amended and Restated Pricing Supplement No. 2024-USNCH24606 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration Statement Nos. 333-270327 and 333-270327-01 |
Callable Fixed Rate Notes Due December 5, 2025
| ▪ | 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 the fixed per annum rate indicated 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: | December 3, 2024 |
| Original issue date: | December 5, 2024 |
| Maturity date: | December 5, 2025. 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 the maturity date, unless previously redeemed by us: 4.50% |
| 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 5th day of each June and December, commencing June 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 5th day of each March, June and September beginning in March 2025, 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 |
| Listing: | The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange |
| CUSIP / ISIN: | 17291LYX7 / US17291LYX71 |
| 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(1) | Underwriting fee(2) | Proceeds to issuer |
| Per note: | $1,000.00 | $ | $ |
| Total: | $ | $ | $ |
(1) The issue price for eligible institutional investors and investors purchasing the notes in fee-based advisory accounts will vary based on then-current market conditions and the negotiated price determined at the time of each sale; provided, however, that the issue price for such investors will not be less than $998.00 per note and will not be more than $1,000 per note. The issue price for such investors reflects a forgone selling concession or underwriting fee with respect to such sales as described in footnote (2) below. See “General Information—Fees and selling concessions” in this pricing supplement.
(2) CGMI will receive an underwriting fee of up to $2.00 per note, and from such underwriting fee will allow selected dealers a selling concession of up to $2.00 per note depending on market conditions that are relevant to the value of the notes at the time an order to purchase the notes is submitted to CGMI. Dealers who purchase the notes for sales to eligible institutional investors and/or to investors purchasing the notes in fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all selling concessions, and CGMI may forgo some or all of the underwriting fee for sales it makes to eligible institutional investors and/or to investors purchasing the notes in fee-based advisory accounts. The per note underwriting fee in the table above represents the maximum underwriting fee payable per note. The total underwriting fee and proceeds to issuer in the table above give effect to the actual total proceeds to issuer. 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.
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, which can be accessed via the following hyperlink:
Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated March 7, 2023
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 advisors 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 notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc., and any actual or anticipated 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 Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.’s or Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness. 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. |
| § | 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 |
| PS-2 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
| 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: | Prospective investors should review the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations,” and in particular the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Short-Term Notes,” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes. |
| 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: |
The issue price is $1,000 per note; provided that the issue price for an eligible institutional investor or an investor purchasing the notes in a fee-based advisory account will vary based on then-current market conditions and the negotiated price determined at the time of each sale. The issue price for such investors will not be less than $998.00 per note and will not be more than $1,000 per note. The issue price for such investors reflects a forgone selling concession with respect to such sales as described in the next paragraph. CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., is the underwriter of the sale of the notes and is acting as principal. CGMI may resell the notes to other securities dealers at the issue price of $1,000 per note less a selling concession not in excess of the underwriting fee. CGMI will receive an underwriting fee of up to $2.00 per note, and from such underwriting fee will allow selected dealers a selling concession of up to $2.00 per note depending on market conditions that are relevant to the value of the notes at the time an order to purchase the notes is submitted to CGMI. Dealers who purchase the notes for sales to eligible institutional investors and/or to investors purchasing the notes in fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all selling concessions, and CGMI may forgo some or all of the underwriting fee for sales to it makes to eligible institutional investors and/or to investors purchasing the notes in fee-based advisory accounts. |
| 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
The amount of the interest payment payable with respect to each interest payment date and, if we call the notes for mandatory redemption on a redemption date that is not also an interest payment date, the applicable redemption date will equal (i) the stated principal amount of the notes multiplied by the interest rate, multiplied by (ii) day count fraction, where day count fraction will be calculated based on the following formula:
| PS-3 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
where:
“Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the interest calculation period falls;
“Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the interest calculation period falls;
“M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the interest calculation period falls;
“M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the interest calculation period falls;
“D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the interest calculation period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and
“D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the interest calculation period, unless such number would be 31 and D1 is greater than 29, in which case D2 will be 30.
For purposes of the above formula, the “interest calculation period” (a) with respect to any interest payment date is the immediately preceding interest period and (b) with respect to any redemption date that is not also an interest payment date is the period from, and including, the immediately preceding interest payment date (or, if there is no preceding interest payment date, the original issue date) to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.
Hypothetical Examples
The following examples illustrate how the payments on the notes will be calculated with respect to various hypothetical interest payment dates and redemption dates, depending on whether we exercise our right in our sole discretion to redeem the notes on a redemption date or, if we do not redeem the notes prior to the maturity date, whether the interest payment date is the maturity date. The examples below assume that the day count fraction with respect to the applicable interest payment date or redemption date is the number indicated below. The hypothetical payments in the following examples are for illustrative purposes only, do not illustrate all possible payments on the notes and may not correspond to the actual payment applicable to a holder of the notes with respect to any interest payment date or redemption date. The numbers appearing in the following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.
Example 1: The interest payment date is not a redemption date, or it is a redemption date but we choose not to exercise our right to redeem the notes on that date.
In this example, we would pay you an interest payment on the interest payment date per note calculated as follows:
($1,000 × 4.50%) × day count fraction
($1,000 × 4.50%) × (180/360) = $22.50
Because the notes are not redeemed on the interest payment date, the notes would remain outstanding and would continue to accrue interest.
Example 2: We elect to exercise our right to redeem the notes on the third redemption date, which is not an interest payment date.
In this example, we would pay you on the third redemption date the stated principal amount of the notes plus an interest payment per note calculated as follows:
($1,000 × 4.50%) × day count fraction
($1,000 × 4.50%) × (90/360) = $11.25
Therefore, you would receive a total of $1,011.25 per note (the stated principal amount plus $11.25 of interest) on the third redemption date. Because the notes are redeemed on the third redemption date, you would not receive any further payments from us.
Example 3: The notes are not redeemed prior to the maturity date and the interest payment date is the maturity date.
In this example, we would pay you on the maturity date, the stated principal amount of the notes plus an interest payment per note calculated as follows:
($1,000 × 4.50%) × day count fraction
($1,000 × 4.50%) × (180/360) = $22.50
Therefore, you would receive a total of $1,022.50 per note (the stated principal amount plus $22.50 of interest) on the maturity date, and you will not receive any further payments from us.
Because we have the right to redeem the notes prior to the maturity date, there is no assurance that the notes will remain outstanding until the maturity date. You should expect the notes to remain outstanding after the first redemption date only if the interest rate payable on the notes is unfavorable to you as compared to other market rates on comparable investments at that time.
| PS-4 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Certain Selling Restrictions
Notice to Canadian Investors
The notes may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this pricing supplement or an accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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. |
Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom Retail Investors
The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. 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 (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”) and the regulations made under the EUWA; or |
| (ii) | a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the EUWA and the regulations made under the EUWA; or |
| (iii) | not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (3)(e) of the Prospectus Regulation; 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.
© 2024 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.
| PS-5 |