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 product supplement, underlying supplement, 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 OCTOBER 3, 2022

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.

October -, 2022

Medium-Term Senior Notes, Series N

Pricing Supplement No. 2022-USNCH14283

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement Nos. 333-255302 and 333-255302-03

Autocallable Contingent Coupon Market-Linked Notes Based on the Nasdaq-100 Index® Due October 26, 2029

Overview 

The notes offered by this pricing supplement are unsecured debt securities issued by Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. The notes offer the potential for periodic contingent coupon payments at the rate specified below. You will receive a contingent coupon payment on a contingent coupon payment date if, and only if, the closing value of the underlying on the immediately preceding valuation date is greater than or equal to the coupon barrier value specified below.

The notes will be automatically called for redemption prior to maturity if the closing value of the underlying on any potential autocall date is greater than or equal to the initial underlying value.

Investors must be willing to accept (i) an investment that may have limited or no liquidity and (ii) the risk of not receiving any payments due under the notes if we and Citigroup Inc. default on our obligations. All payments on the notes 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 notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.  
Underlying: Nasdaq-100 Index®
Stated principal amount: $1,000 per note
Pricing date: October 21, 2022
Issue date: October 26, 2022
Contingent coupon payment dates: The 26th day of each month, beginning in November 2022, provided that the final contingent coupon payment date will be the maturity date. Each contingent coupon payment date is subject to postponement to the next succeeding business day if such day is not a business day.  In addition, if the valuation date immediately preceding any contingent coupon payment date is postponed, that contingent coupon payment date will be postponed to the third business day following that valuation date as postponed; provided that the contingent coupon payment date with respect to the final valuation date will be the maturity date. No interest will accrue as a result of any delayed payment.
Valuation dates:

With respect to each contingent coupon payment date, the third business day preceding such contingent coupon payment date, which are expected to be November 22, 2022, December 21, 2022, January 23, 2023, February 22, 2023, March 22, 2023, April 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, June 21, 2023, July 21, 2023, August 23, 2023, September 21, 2023, October 23, 2023, November 21, 2023, December 20, 2023, January 23, 2024, February 21, 2024, March 21, 2024, April 23, 2024, May 22, 2024, June 21, 2024, July 23, 2024, August 21, 2024, September 23, 2024, October 23, 2024, November 21, 2024, December 20, 2024, January 22, 2025, February 21, 2025, March 21, 2025, April 23, 2025, May 21, 2025, June 23, 2025, July 23, 2025, August 21, 2025, September 23, 2025, October 22, 2025, November 21, 2025, December 22, 2025, January 21, 2026, February 23, 2026, March 23, 2026, April 22, 2026, May 20, 2026, June 23, 2026, July 22, 2026, August 21, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 21, 2026, November 23, 2026, December 22, 2026, January 21, 2027, February 23, 2027, March 23, 2027, April 21, 2027, May 21, 2027, June 23, 2027, July 21, 2027, August 23, 2027, September 22, 2027, October 21, 2027, November 22, 2027, December 21, 2027, January 21, 2028, February 23, 2028, March 22, 2028, April 21, 2028, May 23, 2028, June 21, 2028, July 21, 2028, August 23, 2028, September 21, 2028, October 23, 2028, November 21, 2028, December 20, 2028, January 23, 2029, February 21, 2029, March 21, 2029, April 23, 2029, May 23, 2029, June 21, 2029, July 23, 2029, August 22, 2029, September 21, 2029 and October 23, 2029 (the “final valuation date”), each subject to postponement if such date is not a scheduled trading day or if a market disruption event occurs

Maturity date: Unless earlier redeemed, October 26, 2029
Contingent coupon: On each contingent coupon payment date, unless previously redeemed, the notes will pay a contingent coupon equal to at least 0.5417% of the stated principal amount of the notes (equivalent to a contingent coupon rate of at least approximately 6.50% per annum) (to be determined on the pricing date) if and only if the closing value of the underlying on the immediately preceding valuation date is greater than or equal to the coupon barrier value. If the closing value of the underlying on any valuation date is less than the coupon barrier value, you will not receive any contingent coupon payment on the immediately following contingent coupon payment date.
Payment at maturity: If the notes are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive at maturity, for each note you then hold, the stated principal amount plus the final contingent coupon payment, if applicable.
Listing: The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange
Underwriter: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), an affiliate of the issuer, acting as principal
Underwriting fee and issue price: Issue price(1) Underwriting fee(2) Proceeds to issuer(3)
Per note: $1,000.00 $40.00 $960.00
Total: $ $ $

(Key Terms continued on next page)

(1) Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. currently expects that the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be at least $850.00 per note, which will be less than the issue price. The estimated value of the notes 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 notes from you at any time after issuance. See “Valuation of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

(2) CGMI will receive an underwriting fee of up to $40.00 for each note 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 notes, 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 notes declines. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus. 

(3) The per note proceeds to issuer indicated above represent the minimum per note proceeds to issuer for any note, assuming the maximum per note underwriting fee. As noted above, the underwriting fee is variable. 

Investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Summary Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes 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, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below:

Product Supplement No. EA-03-08 dated May 11, 2021 Underlying Supplement No. 10 dated May 11, 2021

Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated May 11, 2021

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.
 
KEY TERMS (continued)
Automatic early redemption: If, on any potential autocall date, the closing value of the underlying on that potential autocall date is greater than or equal to the initial underlying value, each note you then hold will be automatically called on that potential autocall date for redemption on the immediately following contingent coupon payment date for an amount in cash equal to $1,000.00 plus the related contingent coupon payment. The automatic early redemption feature may significantly limit your potential return on the notes. If the underlying performs in a way that would otherwise be favorable, the notes are likely to be automatically called for redemption prior to maturity, cutting short your opportunity to receive contingent coupon payments. The notes may be automatically called for redemption as early as the first potential autocall date specified below.
Initial underlying value:      , the closing value of the underlying on the pricing date
Coupon barrier value:       , 80.00% of the initial underlying value
Potential autocall dates: The valuation dates scheduled to occur on October 23, 2023, November 21, 2023, December 20, 2023, January 23, 2024, February 21, 2024, March 21, 2024, April 23, 2024, May 22, 2024, June 21, 2024, July 23, 2024, August 21, 2024, September 23, 2024, October 23, 2024, November 21, 2024, December 20, 2024, January 22, 2025, February 21, 2025, March 21, 2025, April 23, 2025, May 21, 2025, June 23, 2025, July 23, 2025, August 21, 2025, September 23, 2025, October 22, 2025, November 21, 2025, December 22, 2025, January 21, 2026, February 23, 2026, March 23, 2026, April 22, 2026, May 20, 2026, June 23, 2026, July 22, 2026, August 21, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 21, 2026, November 23, 2026, December 22, 2026, January 21, 2027, February 23, 2027, March 23, 2027, April 21, 2027, May 21, 2027, June 23, 2027, July 21, 2027, August 23, 2027, September 22, 2027, October 21, 2027, November 22, 2027, December 21, 2027, January 21, 2028, February 23, 2028, March 22, 2028, April 21, 2028, May 23, 2028, June 21, 2028, July 21, 2028, August 23, 2028, September 21, 2028, October 23, 2028, November 21, 2028, December 20, 2028, January 23, 2029, February 21, 2029, March 21, 2029, April 23, 2029, May 23, 2029, June 21, 2029, July 23, 2029, August 22, 2029 and September 21, 2029
Underlying return: On any valuation date, (i) the closing value of the underlying on that valuation date minus the initial underlying value, divided by (ii) the initial underlying value
CUSIP / ISIN: 17330RSP1 / US17330RSP19
 PS-2
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

Additional Information

 

General. The terms of the notes 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 notes 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 notes. Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement are defined in the accompanying product supplement.

 

Closing value. The closing value of the underlying is its closing level, as described in the accompanying product supplement.

 

 PS-3
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

Hypothetical Examples of Contingent Coupon Payments

 

The examples below illustrate how to determine whether a contingent coupon will be paid and whether the notes will be automatically called for redemption following a valuation date that is also a potential autocall date. The examples are solely for illustrative purposes, do not show all possible outcomes and are not a prediction of any payment that may be made on the notes.

 

The examples below are based on the following hypothetical values and do not reflect the actual initial underlying value or coupon barrier value of the underlying. For the actual initial underlying value and coupon barrier value of the underlying, 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 notes work. However, you should understand that the actual payments on the notes will be calculated based on the actual initial underlying value and coupon barrier value of the underlying, and not the hypothetical values indicated below. For ease of analysis, figures below have been rounded. The examples below assume that the contingent coupon rate is set at the lowest value indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The actual contingent coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date.

 

Hypothetical initial underlying value Hypothetical coupon barrier value
100.00 80.00 (80.00% of the hypothetical initial underlying value)

 

Hypothetical Examples of Contingent Coupon Payments and any Payment upon Automatic Early Redemption Following a Valuation Date that is also a Potential Autocall Date

 

The three hypothetical examples below illustrate how to determine whether a contingent coupon will be paid and whether the notes will be automatically redeemed following a hypothetical valuation date that is also a potential autocall date, assuming that the closing value of the underlying on the hypothetical valuation date is as indicated below.

 

  Hypothetical closing value of the underlying on hypothetical valuation date Hypothetical payment per $1,000.00 note on related contingent coupon payment date
Example 1 85
(underlying return =
(85 - 100) / 100 = -15%)
$5.417
(contingent coupon is paid; notes not redeemed)
Example 2 45
(underlying return =
(45 - 100) / 100 = -55%)
$0.00
(no contingent coupon; notes not redeemed)
Example 3 110
(underlying return =
(110 - 100) / 100 = 10%)
$1,005.417
(contingent coupon is paid; notes redeemed)

 

Example 1: On the hypothetical valuation date, the closing value of the underlying is greater than the coupon barrier value but less than the initial underlying value. As a result, investors in the notes would receive the contingent coupon payment on the related contingent coupon payment date and the notes would not be automatically redeemed.

 

Example 2: On the hypothetical valuation date, the closing value of the underlying is less than the coupon barrier value. As a result, investors would not receive any payment on the related contingent coupon payment date and the notes would not be automatically redeemed.

 

Investors in the notes will not receive a contingent coupon on the contingent coupon payment date following a valuation date if the closing value of the underlying on that valuation date is less than the coupon barrier value.

 

Example 3: On the hypothetical valuation date, the closing value of the underlying is greater than both the coupon barrier value and the initial underlying value. As a result, the notes would be automatically redeemed on the related contingent coupon payment date for an amount in cash equal to $1,000.00 plus the related contingent coupon payment.

 

If the hypothetical valuation date were not also a potential autocall date, the notes would not be automatically redeemed on the related contingent coupon payment date.

 

 PS-4
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

Summary Risk Factors

 

An investment in the notes is significantly riskier than an investment in conventional debt securities. The notes 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 notes, and are also subject to risks associated with the underlying. Accordingly, the notes are suitable only for investors who are capable of understanding the complexities and risks of the notes. You should consult your own financial, tax and legal advisors as to the risks of an investment in the notes and the suitability of the notes in light of your particular circumstances.

 

The following is a summary of certain key risk factors for investors in the notes. You should read this summary together with the more detailed description of risks relating to an investment in the notes contained in the section “Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” beginning on page EA-6 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.

 

Citigroup Inc. will release quarterly earnings on October 14, 2022, which is during the marketing period and prior to the pricing date of these notes.

 

Although the notes provide for the repayment of the stated principal amount at maturity, you may nevertheless suffer a loss on your investment in real value terms if you do not receive one or more, or any contingent coupon payments. This is because inflation may cause the real value of the stated principal amount to be less at maturity than it is at the time you invest, and because an investment in the notes represents a forgone opportunity to invest in an alternative asset that does generate a positive real return at a market rate. This potential loss in real value terms is significant given the term of the notes. You should carefully consider whether an investment that may provide a return that is lower than the return on alternative investments is appropriate for you.

 

The notes are riskier than notes with a shorter term. The notes are relatively long-dated. Because the notes are relatively long-dated, many of the risks of the notes are heightened as compared to notes with a shorter term, because you will be subject to those risks for a longer period of time. In addition, the value of a longer-dated note is typically less than the value of an otherwise comparable note with a shorter term.

 

You will not receive any contingent coupon on the contingent coupon payment date following any valuation date on which the closing value of the underlying is less than the coupon barrier value. A contingent coupon payment will be made on a contingent coupon payment date if and only if the closing value of the underlying on the immediately preceding valuation date is greater than or equal to the coupon barrier value. If the closing value of the underlying on any valuation date is less than the coupon barrier value, you will not receive any contingent coupon payment on the immediately following contingent coupon payment date. If the closing value of the underlying on each valuation date is below the coupon barrier value, you will not receive any contingent coupon payments over the term of the notes.

 

The notes may be automatically redeemed prior to maturity, limiting your opportunity to receive contingent coupon payments. On any potential autocall date, the notes will be automatically called for redemption if the closing value of the underlying on that potential autocall date is greater than or equal to the initial underlying value. As a result, if the underlying performs in a way that would otherwise be favorable, the notes are likely to be automatically redeemed, cutting short your opportunity to receive contingent coupon payments. If the notes are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you may not be able to reinvest your funds in another investment that provides a similar yield with a similar level of risk.

 

§The notes do not offer any upside exposure to the underlying. You will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlying over the term of the notes. Consequently, your return on the notes will be limited to the contingent coupon payments you receive, if any, and may be significantly less than the return on the underlying over the term of the notes. In addition, as an investor in the notes, you will not receive any dividends or other distributions or have any other rights with respect to any of the stocks that make up the underlying.

 

§The performance of the notes will depend on the closing value of the underlying solely on the valuation dates, which makes the notes particularly sensitive to volatility in the closing value of the underlying on or near the valuation dates. Whether the contingent coupon will be paid on any given contingent coupon payment date and whether the notes will be automatically redeemed prior to maturity will depend on the closing value of the underlying solely on the applicable valuation dates, regardless of the closing value of the underlying on other days during the term of the notes. If the notes are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, what you receive at maturity will depend solely on the closing value of the underlying on the final valuation date, and not on any other day during the term of the notes. Because the performance of the notes depends on the closing value of the underlying on a limited number of dates, the notes will be particularly sensitive to volatility in the closing value of the underlying on or near the valuation dates. You should understand that the closing value of the underlying has historically been highly volatile.

 

 PS-5
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 
The notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. If we default on our obligations under the notes and Citigroup Inc. defaults on its guarantee obligations, you may not receive anything owed to you under 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.

 

Sale of the notes prior to maturity 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. The value of the notes may fluctuate during the term of the notes, and if you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the full stated principal amount of your notes.

 

The estimated value of the notes 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 notes that are included in the issue price. These costs include (i) any selling concessions or other fees paid in connection with the offering of the notes, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our affiliates in connection with the offering of the notes 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 notes. These costs adversely affect the economic terms of the notes because, if they were lower, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you. The economic terms of the notes are also likely to be adversely affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than our secondary market rate, to price the notes. See “The estimated value of the notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate” below.

 

The estimated value of the notes 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 closing value of the underlying, dividend yields on the stocks that constitute 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 notes. Moreover, the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement may differ from the value that we or our affiliates may determine for the notes for other purposes, including for accounting purposes. You should not invest in the notes because of the estimated value of the notes. Instead, you should be willing to hold the notes to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value.

 

The estimated value of the notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate. The estimated value of the notes 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 notes. 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 notes for purposes of any purchases of the notes 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 notes, 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 notes.

 

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 notes, 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 notes prior to maturity.

 

The estimated value of the notes is not an indication of the price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be willing to buy the notes from you in the secondary market. Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term of the notes 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 notes 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 notes than if our internal funding rate were used. In addition, any secondary market price for the notes will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate stated principal amount of the notes 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 notes will be less than the issue price.

 

 PS-6
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 
The value of the notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors. The value of your notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on the closing value of the underlying, the volatility of the closing value of the underlying, dividend yields on the stocks that constitute 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 Notes—Risk Factors Relating to All Notes—The value of your notes 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 notes. You should understand that the value of your notes at any time prior to maturity may be significantly less than the issue price.

 

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 Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

Our offering of the notes is not a recommendation of the underlying. The fact that we are offering the notes 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 stocks that constitute the underlying or in instruments related to the underlying or such stocks, 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 notes.

 

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 notes through CGMI or other of our affiliates, who may take positions directly in the stocks that constitute the underlying or in financial instruments related to the underlying or such stocks and may adjust such positions during the term of the notes. Our affiliates also take positions in the stocks that constitute the underlying or in financial instruments related to the underlying or such stocks 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 notes. They could also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the notes declines.

 

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 notes. They could also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the notes 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.

 

The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the notes. If certain events occur during the term of the notes, 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 notes. 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 notes. See “Risk Factors Relating to the Notes—Risk Factors Relating to All Notes—The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the notes” in the accompanying product supplement.

 

Changes that affect the underlying may affect the value of your notes. The sponsor of the underlying may at any time make methodological changes or other changes in the manner in which they operate that could affect the value of the underlying. We are not affiliated with any such underlying sponsor and, accordingly, we have no control over any changes any such sponsor may make. Such changes could adversely affect the performance of the underlying and the value of and your return on the notes.

 

 PS-7
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

Information About the Nasdaq-100 Index®

 

The Nasdaq-100 Index® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index of stocks of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. All stocks included in the Nasdaq-100 Index® are traded on a major U.S. exchange. The Nasdaq-100 Index® was developed by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and is calculated, maintained and published by Nasdaq, Inc.

 

Please refer to the section “Equity Index Descriptions— The NASDAQ-100 Index®” in the accompanying underlying supplement for additional information.

 

We have derived all information regarding the Nasdaq-100 Index® from publicly available information and have not independently verified any information regarding the Nasdaq-100 Index®. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and not to the Nasdaq-100 Index®. We make no representation as to the performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index® over the term of the notes.

 

The notes represent obligations of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) only. The sponsor of the Nasdaq-100 Index® is not involved in any way in this offering and has no obligation relating to the notes or to holders of the notes.

 

Historical Information

 

The closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® on September 29, 2022 was 11,164.78.

 

The graph below shows the closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® for each day such value was available from January 3, 2012 to September 29, 2022. 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.

 

Nasdaq-100 Index® – Historical Closing Values
January 3, 2012 to September 29, 2022
 PS-8
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

United States Federal Tax Considerations

 

In the opinion of our tax counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the notes will be treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on market conditions as of the pricing date, the notes will be treated either as "variable rate debt instruments" or "contingent payment debt instruments" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Final Pricing Supplement will give further information as to which treatment applies to the notes.

 

If the notes are treated as variable rate debt instruments, stated interest on the notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with the holder’s method of tax accounting. Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition (other than any amount attributable to accrued interest, which will be treated as a payment of interest) and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will generally equal the purchase price paid to acquire the note. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the note for more than one year at the time of disposition.

 

If the notes are treated as contingent payment debt instruments, (i) a U.S. Holder will be required to recognize interest income based on our “comparable yield” for a similar non-contingent debt instrument and a “projected payment schedule” in respect of the notes, adjusted each year to take account for the difference between the actual and the projected payments in that year, and (ii) gain with respect to a note will be treated as ordinary income.

 

Non-U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussions below regarding Section 871(m) and in “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and “—FATCA” in the accompanying product supplement, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the notes, under current law you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of payments on or amounts received on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of the notes, provided that (i) income in respect of the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you comply with the applicable certification requirements. See “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying product supplement for a more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of the notes.

 

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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 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 (“Underlying Securities”) or indices that include Underlying Securities. Section 871(m) generally applies to instruments that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations. However, the regulations, as modified by an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2025 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on the terms of the notes and representations provided by us as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, our tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be treated as transactions that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any Underlying Security and, therefore, should not be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m). However, the final determination regarding the treatment of the notes under Section 871(m) will be made as of the pricing date for the notes, and it is possible that the notes will be subject to withholding under Section 871(m) based on the circumstances as of that date.

 

A determination that the notes 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 notes.

 

If withholding tax applies to the notes, 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 notes.

 

You should also consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the notes and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

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Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution

 

CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the notes, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting fee of up to $40.00 for each note 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 $40.00 for each note they sell. For the avoidance of doubt, any fees or selling concessions described in this pricing supplement will not be rebated if the notes are automatically 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 Notes

 

CGMI calculated the estimated value of the notes 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 notes by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the notes, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the notes (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 notes 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 notes is a function of the terms of the notes 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 notes will be on the pricing date because certain terms of the notes 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 notes, the price, if any, at which CGMI would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that will be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements prepared by CGMI or its affiliates (which value CGMI may also publish through one or more financial information vendors), will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from the price or value that would otherwise be determined. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of the hedging profit expected to be realized by CGMI or its affiliates over the term of the notes. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the four-month temporary adjustment period. However, CGMI is not obligated to buy the notes from investors at any time. See “Summary Risk Factors—The notes 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.

 

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