Citibank, Henry Schein and HDA Align to Help Dentists Expand their Pra

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers/Hispanic Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2005--Citibank, Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) and the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA), today announced a landmark alliance that will help dentists serving Hispanic communities start and expand their dental practices. The agreement is a result of Citibank's, Henry Schein's and the HDA's strong commitment to the Hispanic community and their recognition of the benefits of improved oral healthcare.
    As part of the alliance, Citibank will offer a comprehensive set of financial solutions to HDA members seeking to launch or expand their dental practices. The Citi Dental Suite includes working capital loans, equipment leasing programs, commercial and personal banking services, patient financing programs, and dental practice financing offered through Citibank's arrangement with Henry Schein, the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets. In addition, Citibank will also make available through its Small Business Administration program $10 million in low interest-rate loans to eligible dental practitioners who provide oral healthcare in underserved communities and do not qualify for conventional loans.
    "We are committed to building stronger communities through responsible and innovative financing programs," said Ellen Alemany, Executive Vice President in charge of Citigroup's Commercial Business Group. "Together with HDA, we want to help Hispanic dental practitioners grow their practices and provide optimal oral healthcare to all their patients. Our aim is to use the broad range of Citibank's financial products and services to help develop vibrant and healthy communities."
    "As our country's Hispanic population continues to increase, we are pleased that this initiative will assist practitioners serving this growing patient base, a significant percentage of which is currently underserved," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "We stand ready to partner with HDA members in all areas of the practice, including offering a comprehensive selection of financial services to help practitioners operate more efficient and profitable practices while delivering the highest level of quality oral healthcare to patients."
    "We are excited about this alliance and what it will offer our members and their patients," said Ivan Lugo, the President of HDA. "HDA's mission is to optimize the oral health of our Hispanic community, and with this arrangement our mission will become even stronger. By joining forces with Citibank and Henry Schein, we can now help our members achieve their long-term goals and provide enhanced oral healthcare to their patients."
    HDA members can take advantage of Citi Dental Suite by calling 800-257-8451, ext. 3069.

    About Citigroup

    Citibank is a member of Citigroup (NYSE: C), the preeminent global financial services company, which has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Travelers Life and Annuity. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

    About Henry Schein, Inc.

    Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 450,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company's sales reached a record $3.4 billion in 2003. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products. Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions, including such leading practice management software systems as DENTRIX(R) and Easy Dental(R) for dental practices, and AVImark(R) for veterinary clinics, which are installed in over 50,000 practices; and ArubA(R), Henry Schein's electronic catalog and ordering system. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs nearly 10,000 people and has operations in 17 countries. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

    About HDA

    The Hispanic Dental Association (HDA), was established in 1990 to be the leading voice of advocacy for oral health in the Hispanic community. A national organization, its membership now covers all states in the US and is heaviest in those states with large Hispanic population. HDA focuses on programs, research and scholarship to dental students that will further its mission to optimize the oral health of the Hispanic community.

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CONTACT: Citibank Anita Gupta, 212-559-0297 or HDA Lisa Bruno Trecker, 800-852-7921

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD MEDICAL MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Citigroup Inc.

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