Citigroup and Associates First Capital on Oct. 6, 2000 announced that the Federal Trade Commission has informed them that early termination of the required waiting period has been granted under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act applicable to the pending acquisition of Associates by Citigroup. Associates First Capital Corp. is the parent company of Associates Fleet Services. The transaction, which is expected to close on or about year-end, is subject to approval by Associates shareholders and various international and domestic regulatory authorities. Citigroup, a financial services company, provides some 100 million consumers, corporations, governments and institutions in over 100 countries with financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage and asset management. Associates, established in 1918, is a finance company providing consumer and commercial finance, leasing, insurance and related services worldwide. Associates, headquartered in Dallas, has operations in the United States and 14 international markets.