,
The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these
securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying product
supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, nor are they soliciting
an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 30, 2021
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
August
, 2021
Medium-Term
Senior Notes, Series N
Pricing
Supplement No. 2021—USNCH8589
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration
Statement Nos. 333-255302 and 333-255302-03
|
Callable Buffer Range Accrual
Securities Contingent on the Russell 2000® Index Due August 31, 2026
|
§
|
Variable
coupon. The securities offered by this pricing supplement will pay a variable coupon on each coupon payment date at an annual variable
coupon rate that may be as high as the contingent rate specified below or as low as 0%. The actual variable coupon rate for a given coupon
payment date will equal the contingent rate multiplied by the percentage of elapsed days in the immediately preceding accrual
period on which the closing value of the underlying exceeds the accrual barrier value. The amount of any variable coupon payment may
be adversely affected by adverse movements in the closing value of the underlying. The securities may pay low or no interest for extended
periods of time or even throughout the entire term.
|
|
§
|
Call
right. We have the right to call the securities for mandatory redemption on any potential redemption date specified below.
|
|
§
|
Contingent
repayment of principal at maturity. If we do not redeem the securities prior to maturity, your payment at maturity will depend on
the closing value of the underlying on the final valuation date. If the closing value of the underlying on the final valuation date is
greater than or equal to the final buffer value, you will be repaid the stated principal amount of your securities at maturity. However,
if the closing value of the underlying on the final valuation date is less than the final buffer value, you
will lose 1% of the stated principal amount of your securities for every 1% by which that depreciation exceeds the buffer percentage.
|
|
§
|
The
securities offered by this pricing supplement are unsecured debt securities issued by Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and guaranteed
by Citigroup Inc. Investors must be willing to accept (i) an investment that may have limited or no liquidity and (ii) the risk of not
receiving any amount due under the securities if we and Citigroup Inc. default on our obligations. All payments on the securities
are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc.
|
KEY TERMS
|
|
Issuer:
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc.
|
Guarantee:
|
All payments due on the securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.
|
Underlying:
|
The Russell 2000® Index
|
Stated
principal amount:
|
$1,000 per security
|
Pricing
date:
|
August 26, 2021
|
Issue
date:
|
August 31, 2021
|
Final
valuation date:
|
August 26, 2026, subject to postponement if such date is not a scheduled trading day or certain market disruption events occur
|
Maturity
date:
|
Unless earlier redeemed, August 31, 2026
|
Payment
at maturity:
|
Unless earlier redeemed, at maturity you will
receive, for each security you then hold (in addition to the final coupon payment, if any):
· If
the final underlying value is greater than or equal to the final buffer value: $1,000
· If
the final underlying value is less than the final buffer value:
$1,000 + [$1,000 × (the underlying return + the buffer percentage)]
If the final underlying value is less than
the final buffer value, which means that the underlying has depreciated from the initial underlying value by more than the buffer percentage,
you will lose 1% of the stated principal amount of your securities at maturity for every 1% by which that depreciation exceeds the buffer
percentage.
|
Initial
underlying value:
|
, the closing value of the underlying on the pricing date
|
Final
underlying value:
|
The closing value of the underlying on the final valuation date
|
Accrual
barrier value:
|
, 85.00% of the initial underlying value
|
Final
buffer value:
|
, 85.00% of the initial underlying value
|
Buffer
percentage:
|
15.00%
|
Coupon
payments:
|
On each coupon payment date, you will receive a coupon payment at an annual rate equal to the variable coupon rate for that coupon payment date. The variable coupon rate for any coupon payment date will be determined as follows:
|
contingent rate per annum ×
|
number of
accrual days during the immediately preceding accrual period
|
|
number of elapsed days during the immediately preceding accrual period
|
Each coupon payment per security will be equal to (i) $1,000 multiplied
by the applicable variable coupon rate per annum divided by (ii) 12.
If the number of accrual days in a given accrual period is less
than the number of elapsed days in that accrual period, the variable coupon rate for the related coupon payment date will be less than
the full contingent rate, and if there are no accrual days in a given accrual period, the variable coupon rate for the related coupon
payment date will be 0%.
|
Contingent
rate:
|
At least 3.80% per annum (to be determined on the pricing date)
|
Accrual
day:
|
An elapsed day on which the accrual condition is satisfied
|
Accrual
condition:
|
The accrual condition will be satisfied on an elapsed day if, and only if, the closing value of the underlying is greater than or equal to the accrual barrier value on that elapsed day.
|
Listing:
|
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange
|
Underwriter:
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), an affiliate of the issuer, acting as principal
|
Underwriting
fee and issue price:
|
Issue price(1)
|
Underwriting fee(2)
|
Proceeds to issuer(3)
|
Per security:
|
$1,000
|
$35
|
$965
|
Total:
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Key Terms continued
on next page)
(1) Citigroup Global
Markets Holdings Inc. currently expects that the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be at least $894 per security,
which will be less than the issue price. The estimated value of the securities is based on CGMI’s proprietary pricing models and
our internal funding rate. It is not an indication of actual profit to CGMI or other of our affiliates, nor is it an indication of the
price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be willing to buy the securities from you at any time after issuance. See “Valuation
of the Securities” in this pricing supplement.
(2) CGMI will receive
an underwriting fee of up to $35.00 for each security sold in this offering. The total underwriting fee and proceeds to issuer in the
table above give effect to the actual total underwriting fee. For more information on the distribution of the securities, see “Supplemental
Plan of Distribution” in this pricing supplement. 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 securities declines. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging”
in the accompanying prospectus.
(3) The per security
proceeds to issuer indicated above represent the minimum per security proceeds to issuer for any security, assuming the maximum per security
underwriting fee. As noted above, the underwriting fee is variable.
Investing in the securities involves risks not
associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Summary Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission
nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or determined that this pricing supplement and the
accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement, 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 product supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed via the
hyperlinks below:
Product Supplement No. EA-02-09 dated May 11, 2021 Underlying Supplement No. 10 dated May 11, 2021
Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated May 11, 2021
The
securities 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.
|
|
KEY
TERMS (CONTINUED)
|
|
Coupon
payment dates:
|
The business day after each accrual period end date, except that the coupon payment date following the final accrual period end date will be the maturity date (or the earlier date on which we redeem the securities, if applicable)
|
Accrual
period:
|
Each period from but excluding an accrual period end date to and including the next accrual period end date (or, in the case of the first accrual period, the period from but excluding the issue date to and including the first accrual period end date).
|
Accrual
period end dates:
|
September 27, 2021, October 26, 2021, November 26, 2021, December 27, 2021, January 26, 2022, February 28, 2022, March 28, 2022, April 26, 2022, May 26, 2022, June 27, 2022, July 26, 2022, August 26, 2022, September 26, 2022, October 26, 2022, November 28, 2022, December 27, 2022, January 26, 2023, February 27, 2023, March 27, 2023, April 26, 2023, May 26, 2023, June 26, 2023, July 26, 2023, August 28, 2023, September 26, 2023, October 26, 2023, November 27, 2023, December 26, 2023, January 26, 2024, February 26, 2024, March 26, 2024, April 26, 2024, May 28, 2024, June 26, 2024, July 26, 2024, August 26, 2024, September 26, 2024, October 28, 2024, November 26, 2024, December 26, 2024, January 27, 2025, February 26, 2025, March 26, 2025, April 28, 2025, May 27, 2025, June 26, 2025, July 28, 2025, August 26, 2025, September 26, 2025, October 27, 2025, November 26, 2025, December 26, 2025, January 26, 2026, February 26, 2026, March 26, 2026, April 27, 2026, May 26, 2026, June 26, 2026, July 27, 2026 and August 26, 2026
|
Elapsed
day:
|
A day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which the value of the underlying is calculated and published and on which securities comprising more than 80% of the value of the underlying on such day are capable of being traded on their primary exchanges or markets during the one-half hour before the determination of the closing value of the underlying.
|
Early
redemption:
|
We have the right to redeem the securities, in whole and not in part, on any potential redemption date upon not less than three business days’ notice for an amount in cash equal to 100% of the stated principal amount of your securities plus the coupon payment due on the date of redemption, if any.
|
Potential
redemption dates:
|
Any coupon payment date beginning in August 2022 and ending in July 2026
|
Underlying
return:
|
(i) The final underlying value minus the initial underlying value divided by (ii) the initial underlying value
|
CUSIP
/ ISIN:
|
17329QMM9 / US17329QMM95
|
Additional Information
General. The terms of the securities are set forth in the accompanying
product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, as supplemented by this pricing supplement. The accompanying product supplement,
prospectus supplement and prospectus contain important disclosures that are not repeated in this pricing supplement. For example, the
accompanying product supplement contains important information about how the closing value of the underlying will be determined and about
adjustments that may be made to the terms of the securities upon the occurrence of market disruption events and other specified events
with respect to the underlying. The accompanying underlying supplement contains information about the underlying that is not repeated
in this pricing supplement. It is important that you read the accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement
and prospectus together with this pricing supplement in deciding whether to invest in the securities. Certain terms used but not defined
in this pricing supplement are defined in the accompanying product supplement.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
Hypothetical Examples
Variable Coupon Payments
The following table presents examples of hypothetical variable coupon
payments based on the number of accrual days in a particular accrual period. For illustrative purposes only, the table assumes an accrual
period that contains 22 elapsed days. Your actual coupon payments for any coupon payment date will depend on the actual number of elapsed
days during the relevant accrual period and the actual closing value of the underlying on each elapsed day. The applicable variable coupon
rate for each coupon payment date will be determined on a per annum basis but will apply only to that coupon payment date. The examples
below assume that the coupon rate is set at the lowest value indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The actual coupon
rate will be determined on the pricing date.
Hypothetical Number of Accrual Days in Accrual Period*
|
Hypothetical Variable Coupon Rate (per Annum)**
|
Hypothetical Variable Coupon Payment per Security***
|
0
|
0.000%
|
$0.00
|
1
|
0.173%
|
$0.144
|
5
|
0.864%
|
$0.720
|
10
|
1.727%
|
$1.439
|
15
|
2.591%
|
$2.159
|
20
|
3.455%
|
$2.879
|
22
|
3.800%
|
$3.167
|
_______________________________
* An accrual day is an
elapsed day on which the accrual condition is satisfied (i.e., on which the closing value of the underlying is greater than or equal
to the accrual barrier value)
** The hypothetical variable
coupon rate per annum is equal to (i) the contingent rate of 3.80% per annum multiplied by (ii) (a) the hypothetical number of
accrual days in the related accrual period divided by (b) 22
*** The hypothetical variable
coupon payment per security is equal to (i) $1,000 multiplied by the hypothetical variable coupon rate per annum divided by
(ii) 12
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
Payment at Maturity
The diagram below illustrates your payment at maturity for a range of
hypothetical underlying returns (excluding the final coupon payment, if any, and assuming we do not redeem the securities prior to maturity).
Callable Range Accrual
Securities
Payment at Maturity Diagram
|
|
Your actual payment at maturity per security, excluding the final coupon
payment, if any, will depend on the actual initial underlying value, the actual final buffer value and the actual final underlying value.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
The examples below are intended to illustrate how your payment at maturity
will depend on whether the final underlying value on the final valuation date is greater than or less than the final buffer value and,
if less, how much less (excluding the final coupon payment, if any, and assuming we do not redeem the securities prior to maturity). The
examples are solely for illustrative purposes, do not show all possible outcomes and are not a prediction of what the actual payment at
maturity on the securities will be.
The examples below are based on the following hypothetical values and
do not reflect the actual initial underlying value or final buffer value. For the actual initial underlying value and final buffer value,
see the cover page of this pricing supplement. We have used these hypothetical values, rather than the actual values, to simplify the
calculations and aid understanding of how the securities work. However, you should understand that the actual payments on the securities
will be calculated based on the actual initial underlying value and final buffer value, and not the hypothetical values indicated below.
Hypothetical initial underlying value:
|
100.00
|
Hypothetical final buffer value:
|
85.00 (85.00% of the hypothetical initial underlying value)
|
Example 1—Par Scenario A. The
final underlying value is 110.00, (a 10% increase from the hypothetical initial underlying value), which
is greater than the initial underlying value and the final buffer value.
Payment at maturity per security
= $1,000
Because the final underlying value is greater than the final buffer
value, you would be repaid the stated principal amount of your securities in this example. Even though the underlying has appreciated
from the initial underlying value in this example, you would not participate in the appreciation of the underlying.
Example 2—Par Scenario B. The
final underlying value is 90.00 (a 10% decrease from the hypothetical initial underlying value), which is greater than the
hypothetical final buffer value.
Payment at maturity per security = $1,000
Because the underlying did not depreciate from the hypothetical initial
underlying value to the hypothetical final underlying value by more than 15% (that is, it did not depreciate below the hypothetical final
buffer value), your payment at maturity in this scenario would be equal to the $1,000 stated principal amount per security (excluding
the final coupon payment, if any).
Example 3—Downside Scenario. The
final underlying value is 30.00, resulting in a -70.00% underlying return. In this example, the final underlying value is less than
the final buffer value.
Payment at maturity per security
= $1,000 + [$1,000 × (the underlying return + the buffer percentage)]
= $1,000 + [$1,000 × (-70.00%
+ 15.00%)]
= $1,000 + [$1,000 × -55.00%]
= $1,000 + -$550.00
= $450.00
In this scenario, the underlying has depreciated from the initial underlying
value to the final underlying value by more than the buffer percentage. As a result, your total return at maturity in this scenario would
be negative and would reflect 1-to-1 exposure to the negative performance of the underlying beyond the buffer percentage.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
Summary Risk Factors
An investment in the securities is significantly riskier than an investment
in conventional debt securities. The securities are subject to all of the risks associated with an investment in our conventional debt
securities (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.), including the risk that we and Citigroup Inc. may default on our obligations under the securities,
and are also subject to risks associated with the underlying. Accordingly, the securities are suitable only for investors who are capable
of understanding the complexities and risks of the securities. You should consult your own financial, tax and legal advisors as to the
risks of an investment in the securities and the suitability of the securities in light of your particular circumstances.
The following is a summary of certain key risk factors for investors
in the securities. You should read this summary together with the more detailed description of risks relating to an investment in the
securities contained in the section “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities” beginning on page EA-7 in the accompanying product
supplement. You should also carefully read 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.
|
§
|
You may lose some or all of your investment.
Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, your payment at maturity
(if we do not redeem the securities at our option) will depend on the performance of the underlying. If we do not redeem the securities
at our option prior to maturity, you may receive significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities at maturity, but
in no circumstances will you receive more than the stated principal amount of the securities (excluding the final coupon payment, if any).
If the underlying depreciates by more than the buffer percentage from the initial underlying value to the final underlying value, you
will lose 1% of the stated principal amount of your securities for every 1% by which that depreciation exceeds the buffer percentage.
|
|
§
|
The securities offer a variable coupon rate, and you may not receive any coupon payment on one or more, or any, coupon payment
dates. Any variable coupon payment you receive will be paid at a per annum rate equal to the contingent rate only if the accrual
condition is satisfied on each elapsed day during the relevant accrual period. The accrual condition will be satisfied on any elapsed
day only if the closing value of the underlying on that elapsed day is greater than or equal to the accrual barrier value. If,
on any elapsed day during an accrual period, the accrual condition is not satisfied, the applicable variable coupon payment will be paid
at a rate that is less, and possibly significantly less, than the contingent rate. If, on each elapsed day during an accrual period, the
accrual condition is not satisfied, no variable coupon payment will be made on the related coupon payment date. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that you will receive a variable coupon payment on any coupon payment date or that any variable coupon payment you do
receive will be calculated at the full contingent rate. Thus, the securities are not a suitable investment for investors who require regular
fixed income payments.
|
|
§
|
The higher potential yield offered by the securities is associated with greater risk than conventional debt securities. The
securities offer coupon payments with the potential to result in a higher yield than the yield on our conventional debt securities of
the same maturity. You should understand that, in exchange for this potentially higher yield, you will be exposed to significantly greater
risks than investors in our conventional debt securities (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.). These risks include the risk that the variable
coupon payments you receive, if any, will result in a yield on the securities that is lower, and perhaps significantly lower, than the
yield on our conventional debt securities of the same maturity that are guaranteed by Citigroup Inc., and the risk that you will incur
a significant loss on the securities at maturity. The volatility of the underlying is an important factor affecting this risk. Greater
expected volatility as of the pricing date may contribute to the higher yield potential, but would also represent a greater expected likelihood
as of the pricing date that you will receive low or no coupon payments on the securities and that you would incur a significant loss on
the securities at maturity.
|
|
§
|
You may not be adequately compensated for assuming the downside risk of the underlying. The
potential variable coupon payments on the securities are the compensation you receive for assuming the downside risk of the underlying,
as well as all the other risks of the securities. That compensation is effectively “at risk” and may, therefore, be less than
you currently anticipate. First, the actual yield you realize on the securities could be lower than you anticipate because the coupon
is variable and you may not receive a coupon payment at the full contingent rate, or at all, on one or more, or any, of the coupon payment
dates. Second, the coupon payments are the compensation you receive not only for the downside risk of the underlying, but also for all
of the other risks of the securities, including the risk that the securities may be redeemed prior to maturity, interest rate risk and
our and Citigroup Inc.’s credit risk. If those other risks increase or are otherwise greater than you currently anticipate, the
variable coupon payments may turn out to be inadequate to compensate you for all the risks of the securities, including the downside risk
of the underlying.
|
|
§
|
We may redeem the securities at our option, which will limit your ability to receive the variable coupon payments. We may redeem
the securities on any potential redemption date. In the event that we redeem the securities, you will receive the stated principal amount
of your securities and the related coupon payment, if any. Thus, the term of the securities may be limited. If we redeem the securities
prior to maturity, you will not receive any additional variable coupon payments. Moreover, you may not be able to reinvest your funds
in another investment that provides a similar yield with a similar level of risk. If we redeem the securities prior to maturity, it is
likely to be at a time when the underlying is performing in a manner that would otherwise have been favorable to you. By contrast, if
the underlying is performing unfavorably from your perspective, we are less likely to redeem the securities. If we redeem the securities,
we will do so at a time that is advantageous to us and without regard to your interests.
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
|
§
|
The securities offer downside exposure to the underlying, but no upside exposure to the underlying.
You will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlying over the term of the securities. Consequently, your return
on the securities will be limited to the variable coupon payments you receive, if any, and may be significantly less than the return on
the underlying over the term of the securities. In addition, as an investor in the securities, you will not receive any dividends or other
distributions or have any other rights with respect to the underlying.
|
|
§
|
Your payment at maturity depends on the closing value of the underlying on a single day. Because your payment at maturity (assuming
we do not redeem the securities prior to maturity) depends on the closing value of the underlying solely on the final valuation date,
you are subject to the risk that the closing value of the underlying on that day may be lower, and possibly significantly lower, than
on one or more other dates during the term of the securities. If you had invested in another instrument linked to the underlying that
you could sell for full value at a time selected by you, or if the payment at maturity were based on an average of closing values of the
underlying, you might have achieved better returns.
|
|
§
|
The securities are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. If we default on
our obligations under the securities and Citigroup Inc. defaults on its guarantee obligations, you may not receive anything owed to you
under the securities.
|
|
§
|
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity. The securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the securities. CGMI currently
intends to make a secondary market in relation to the securities and to provide an indicative bid price for the securities on a daily
basis. Any indicative bid price for the securities 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 securities 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 securities because it is likely
that CGMI will be the only broker-dealer that is willing to buy your securities prior to maturity. Accordingly, an investor must be prepared
to hold the securities until maturity.
|
|
§
|
The estimated value of the securities on the pricing date, based on CGMI’s proprietary pricing models and our internal funding
rate, is less than the issue price. The difference is attributable to certain costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging
the securities that are included in the issue price. These costs include (i) the selling concessions paid in connection with the offering
of the securities, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our affiliates in connection with the offering of the securities and
(iii) the expected profit (which may be more or less than actual profit) to CGMI or other of our affiliates in connection with hedging
our obligations under the securities. These costs adversely affect the economic terms of the securities because, if they were lower, the
economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you. The economic terms of the securities are also likely to be adversely
affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than our secondary market rate, to price the securities. See “The estimated
value of the securities would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate” below.
|
|
§
|
The estimated value of the securities was determined for us by our affiliate using proprietary pricing models. CGMI derived
the estimated value disclosed on the cover page of this pricing supplement from its proprietary pricing models. In doing so, it may have
made discretionary judgments about the inputs to its models, such as the volatility of the underlying, the dividend yield on the underlying
and interest rates. CGMI’s views on these inputs may differ from your or others’ views, and as an underwriter in this offering,
CGMI’s interests may conflict with yours. Both the models and the inputs to the models may prove to be wrong and therefore not an
accurate reflection of the value of the securities. Moreover, the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this
pricing supplement may differ from the value that we or our affiliates may determine for the securities for other purposes, including
for accounting purposes. You should not invest in the securities because of the estimated value of the securities. Instead, you should
be willing to hold the securities to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value.
|
|
§
|
The estimated value of the securities would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate. The estimated
value of the securities included in this pricing supplement is calculated based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate at which
we are willing to borrow funds through the issuance of the securities. Our internal funding rate is generally lower than our secondary
market rate, which is the rate that CGMI will use in determining the value of the securities for purposes of any purchases of the securities
from you in the secondary market. If the estimated value included in this pricing supplement were based on our secondary market rate,
rather than our internal funding rate, it would likely be lower. We determine our internal funding rate based on factors such as the costs
associated with the securities, which are generally higher than the costs associated with conventional debt securities, and our liquidity
needs and preferences. Our internal funding rate is not an interest rate that is payable on the securities.
|
Because there is not an active market for
traded instruments referencing our outstanding debt obligations, CGMI determines our secondary market rate based on the market price of
traded instruments referencing the debt obligations of Citigroup Inc., our parent company and the guarantor of all payments due on the
securities, but subject to adjustments that CGMI makes in its sole discretion. As a result, our secondary market rate is not a market-determined
measure of our creditworthiness, but rather reflects the market’s perception of our parent company’s creditworthiness as adjusted
for discretionary factors such as CGMI’s preferences with respect to purchasing the securities prior to maturity.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
|
|
§
|
The estimated value of the securities is not an indication of the price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be willing
to buy the securities from you in the secondary market. Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term of the securities
based on the market and other factors described in the next risk factor. Moreover, unlike the estimated value included in this pricing
supplement, any value of the securities determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction will be based on our secondary market
rate, which will likely result in a lower value for the securities than if our internal funding rate were used. In addition, any secondary
market price for the securities will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate stated principal amount
of the securities to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding related hedging transactions.
As a result, it is likely that any secondary market price for the securities will be less than the issue price.
|
|
§
|
The value of the securities prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable
factors. The value of your securities prior to maturity will fluctuate based on the closing value of the underlying, the volatility
of the closing value of the underlying, the dividend yield on the underlying, interest rates generally, the time remaining to maturity
and our and Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness, as reflected in our secondary market rate, among other factors described under “Risk
Factors Relating to the Securities—Risk Factors Relating to All Securities—The value of your securities prior to maturity
will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors” in the accompanying product supplement. Changes in the closing value of the
underlying may not result in a comparable change in the value of your securities. You should understand that the value of your securities
at any time prior to maturity may be significantly less than the issue price.
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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 “Valuation of the Securities” in this pricing
supplement.
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The Russell 2000® Index is subject to risks associated with small capitalization stocks. The stocks that constitute
the Russell 2000® Index are issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. The stock prices of smaller
companies may be more volatile than stock prices of large capitalization companies. These companies tend to be less well-established than
large market capitalization companies. Small capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse economic, market, trade and
competitive conditions relative to larger companies. Small capitalization companies are less likely to pay dividends on their stocks,
and the presence of a dividend payment could be a factor that limits downward stock price pressure under adverse market conditions.
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Our offering of the securities is not a recommendation
of the underlying. The fact that we are offering the securities does not mean that we believe that investing in an instrument linked
to the underlying is likely to achieve favorable returns. In fact, as we are part of a global financial institution, our affiliates may
have positions (including short positions) in the underlying or in instruments related to the underlying, and may publish research or
express opinions, that in each case are inconsistent with an investment linked to the underlying. These and other activities of our affiliates
may affect the closing value of the underlying in a way that negatively affects the value of and your return on the securities.
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The closing value of the underlying may be adversely
affected by our or our affiliates’ hedging and other trading activities. We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities
through CGMI or other of our affiliates, who may take positions in the underlying or in financial instruments related to the underlying
and may adjust such positions during the term of the securities. Our affiliates also take positions in the underlying or in financial
instruments related to the underlying on a regular basis (taking long or short positions or both), for their accounts, for other accounts
under their management or to facilitate transactions on behalf of customers. These activities could affect the closing value of the underlying
in a way that negatively affects the value of and your return on the securities. They could also result in substantial returns for us
or our affiliates while the value of the securities declines.
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We and our affiliates may have economic interests
that are adverse to yours as a result of our affiliates’ business activities. Our affiliates engage in business activities with
a wide range of companies. These activities include extending loans, making and facilitating investments, underwriting securities offerings
and providing advisory services. These activities could involve or affect the underlying in a way that negatively affects the value of
and your return on the securities. They could also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the securities
declines. In addition, in the course of this business, we or our affiliates may acquire non-public information, which will not be disclosed
to you.
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The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations
with respect to the securities. If certain events occur during the term of the securities, such as market disruption events and other
events with respect to the underlying, CGMI, as calculation agent, will be required to make discretionary judgments that could significantly
affect your return on the securities. In making these judgments, the calculation agent’s interests as an affiliate of ours could
be adverse to your interests as a holder of the securities. See “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities—Risk Factors Relating
to All Securities—The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the securities”
in the accompanying product supplement.
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Changes that affect the underlying may affect the value of your securities. The sponsor
of the underlying may at any time make methodological changes or other changes in the manner in which it operates that could affect the
value of the underlying. We are not affiliated with the underlying sponsor and, accordingly, we have no control over any changes such
sponsor may make. Such changes could adversely affect the performance of the underlying and the value of and your return on the securities.
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Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
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The U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities are unclear. There is no direct legal authority regarding
the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the
“IRS”). Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might
not agree with the treatment of the securities as described in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” below. If the IRS
were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the
securities might be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely
affect the U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, possibly retroactively.
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Non-U.S. investors
should note that persons having withholding responsibility in respect of the securities may withhold on any coupon payment paid to a non-U.S.
investor, generally at a rate of 30%. To the extent that we have withholding responsibility in respect of the securities, we intend to
so withhold.
You should read carefully
the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities”
in the accompanying product supplement and “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement. You should
also consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities, as well as tax consequences
arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
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Information About
the Russell 2000® Index
The Russell 2000® Index is designed to track the performance
of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. All stocks included in the Russell 2000® Index are traded
on a major U.S. exchange. It is calculated and maintained by FTSE Russell.
Please refer to the section “Equity Index Descriptions—
The Russell Indices” in the accompanying underlying supplement for additional information.
We have derived all information regarding the Russell 2000®
Index from publicly available information and have not independently verified any information regarding the Russell 2000®
Index. This pricing supplement relates only to the securities and not to the Russell 2000® Index. We make no representation
as to the performance of the Russell 2000® Index over the term of the securities.
The securities represent obligations of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings
Inc. (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) only. The sponsor of the Russell 2000® Index is not involved in any way in this offering
and has no obligation relating to the securities or to holders of the securities.
Historical Information
The closing value of the Russell 2000® Index on July
28, 2021 was 2,224.957.
The graph below shows the closing value of the Russell 2000®
Index for each day such value was available from January 3, 2011 to July 28, 2021. We obtained the closing values from Bloomberg L.P.,
without independent verification. You should not take historical closing values as an indication of future performance.
Russell 2000® Index — Historical Closing Values
January 3, 2011 to July 28, 2021
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Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
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United States Federal Tax Considerations
You should read carefully the discussion under “United States
Federal Tax Considerations” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities” in the accompanying product supplement and
“Summary Risk Factors” in this pricing supplement.
Due to the lack of any controlling legal authority, there is substantial
uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities. In connection with any information reporting
requirements we may have in respect of the securities under applicable law, we intend (in the absence of an administrative determination
or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid forward contracts with associated
coupon payments that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of
tax accounting. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, this treatment of the securities is reasonable under current
law; however, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this treatment is more likely than not to be
upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible. Moreover, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of the date
of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the pricing date.
Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected and subject to
the discussion in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the following U.S. federal
income tax consequences should result under current law:
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Any coupon payments on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income
to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Upon a sale or exchange of a security (including retirement at maturity),
you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the security. For
this purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid on retirement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an
accrued coupon, which may be treated as a coupon payment. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the security
for more than one year.
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We do not plan to request a ruling
from the IRS regarding the treatment of the securities. An alternative characterization of the securities could materially and adversely
affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized. In
addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment
of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject
of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative
contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and
adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax
adviser regarding possible alternative tax treatments of the securities and potential changes in applicable law.
Withholding Tax on Non-U.S. Holders. Because significant aspects
of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, persons having withholding responsibility in respect of the securities may withhold
on any coupon payment paid to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined in the accompanying product supplement), generally at a rate of 30%. To the
extent that we have (or an affiliate of ours has) withholding responsibility in respect of the securities, we intend to so withhold. In
order to claim an exemption from, or a reduction in, the 30% withholding, you may need to comply with certification requirements to establish
that you are not a U.S. person and are eligible for such an exemption or reduction under an applicable tax treaty. You should consult
your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of the securities, including the possibility of obtaining a refund of any amounts withheld
and the certification requirement described above.
As discussed under “United
States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m)
of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividend
equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities (“U.S.
Underlying Equities”) or indices that include U.S. Underlying Equities. Section 871(m) generally applies to instruments that substantially
replicate the economic performance of one or more U.S. Underlying Equities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury
regulations. However, the regulations, as modified by an IRS notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2023 that
do not have a “delta” of one. Based on the terms of the securities and representations provided by us as of the date of this
preliminary pricing supplement, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be treated as transactions that have a “delta”
of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any U.S. Underlying Equity and, therefore, should not be subject to withholding
tax under Section 871(m). However, the final determination regarding the treatment of the securities under Section 871(m) will be made
as of the pricing date for the securities, and it is possible that the securities will be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m)
based on the circumstances as of that date.
A determination that the securities
are not subject to Section 871(m) is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this treatment. Moreover, Section 871(m) is
complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including your other transactions. You should consult your tax
adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.
We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to
amounts withheld.
You should read the section entitled “United States Federal
Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement. The preceding discussion, when read in combination with that section,
constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning and disposing
of the securities.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
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You should also consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of
the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities and any tax consequences arising under the laws
of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Supplemental Plan of Distribution
CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup
Global Markets Holdings Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the securities, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting
fee of up to $35.00 for each security sold in this offering. The actual underwriting fee will be equal to the selling concession provided
to selected dealers, as described in this paragraph. From this underwriting fee, CGMI will pay selected dealers not affiliated with CGMI
a variable selling concession of up to $35.00 for each security they sell. For the avoidance of doubt, any fees or selling concessions
described in this pricing supplement will not be rebated if the securities are redeemed prior to maturity.
See “Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” in the
accompanying product supplement and “Plan of Distribution” in each of the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus
for additional information.
Valuation of the Securities
CGMI calculated the estimated value of the securities set forth on the
cover page of this pricing supplement based on proprietary pricing models. CGMI’s proprietary pricing models generated an estimated
value for the securities by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate the payout on
the securities, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying
the economic terms of the securities (the “derivative component”). CGMI calculated the estimated value of the bond component
using a discount rate based on our internal funding rate. CGMI calculated the estimated value of the derivative component based on a proprietary
derivative-pricing model, which generated a theoretical price for the instruments that constitute the derivative component based on various
inputs, including the factors described under “Summary Risk Factors—The value of the securities prior to maturity will fluctuate
based on many unpredictable factors” in this pricing supplement, but not including our or Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness.
These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by CGMI in its discretionary judgment.
The estimated value of the securities is a function of the terms of
the securities and the inputs to CGMI’s proprietary pricing models. As of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, it is
uncertain what the estimated value of the securities will be on the pricing date because certain terms of the securities have not yet
been fixed and because it is uncertain what the values of the inputs to CGMI’s proprietary pricing models will be on the pricing
date.
For a period of approximately four months following issuance of the
securities, the price, if any, at which CGMI would be willing to buy the securities from investors, and the value that will be indicated
for the securities 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 securities. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the four-month
temporary adjustment period. However, CGMI is not obligated to buy the securities from investors at any time. See “Summary Risk
Factors—The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity.”
Contact
Clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third-party
distributors may contact Citi Structured Investment Sales at (212) 723-7005.
© 2021 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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