CITIBANK has pledged $2 million to support community projects in Singapore.

Some $100,000 will go to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which benefits needy children; the rest will go to causes such as youth development and financial literacy programmes.

The $2 million, pledged to mark the bank's 200th anniversary this year, was raised through grants from the bank's foundation and fundraising activities that will be organised over the course of the year.

On Saturday, about 4,500 employees, clients and families took part in a mass workout, an open-air movie screening and a carnival in Marina Bay. Proceeds from the sale of food at the carnival went to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

The bank also pledged at the event to fund 35,000 bowls of rice for needy families in the South East District of Singapore.

It had also organised a series of volunteer events in which staff, clients and families had taken part in over the past two weeks to mark its 200th year. The activities included delivering food to elderly residents of Redhill Close as well as holding art-and-craft lessons for needy children.

Mr Michael Zink, head of Asean and Citi country officer for Singapore, said: 'I am heartened to see our staff so passionately engaged in volunteering their time and making a difference in people's lives.'