Citibank Business & Commercial Banking Celebrates Entrepreneurship in Dallas

DALLAS, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight, Citibank Business & Commercial Banking will celebrate in style with local business leaders, fashion enthusiasts and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to honor the induction of entrepreneur, bridal industry icon and CEO of Dallas-based Watters Design, Vatana Watters, into the "Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry" (DEBI) Hall of Fame.

The DEBI Awards are given annually by the National Bridal Market Association, the nation's largest and longest-running bridal market, to salute the industry's best and brightest for their commitment to quality, service and fashion leadership. The event, hosted by Citibank, coincides with Watters' cover feature in the March 2011 issue of BRIDES Magazine.

"We are humbled to join an amazing group of industry icons in the DEBI Hall of Fame. We thank our retailers, and of course our brides, for their dedication and enthusiasm for our brand over the past 24 years," said Watters.

As advocates for promoting the entrepreneurial spirit among girls, Watters and Citibank have also invited nine deserving Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas who are working to complete their fashion and design patch. Prior to the event, the girls will get a behind-the-scenes tour of Watters Design, where they will observe the fashion process from its beginning stages to final production. They will then receive their own custom made dress from Watters, which they may choose to model at the event.

"As the premiere leadership development organization for girls, we are thrilled to participate in this amazing event. Ms. Watters's entrepreneurial accomplishments reflect the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place," said Colleen Walker, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.

Citibank Business & Commercial Banking began working with Watters Design in 2009 to help ensure the company's financial and business structure was optimized to meet the needs of its rapid growth. Watters's Citibank team continues to support the business locally and is guiding the company as it looks to expand distribution overseas.  

"What started with a few handmade special occasion dresses for her friends and family has developed into an important business in our community," said Kathleen Gibson, Central Division Manager for Citibank Business & Commercial Banking. "Our Dallas-based team has been proud to work with Vatana for more than a year to provide the financing, treasury management and merchant services to meet her growing company's needs around the world," she continued.

Born in Thailand, Vatana Watters moved to the U.S. at age seven and was educated in New York and Los Angeles. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she moved to Dallas in 1986 to pursue a custom bridesmaids design business with her sister. Since then, Watters has received 6 DEBI awards and was a nominee two other years. She won a Bridal Buyer Award for Best Photographic Campaign in 2002 and the Wedding Dresses Magazine Award for Bridesmaids Dresses in 2003. Watters has dressed numerous celebrity wedding parties and received coverage in major fashion publications nationally and internationally.

Citibank Business & Commercial Banking in Texas offers a wide array of innovative products and services and the Dallas team works with a range of businesses in the Metroplex and surrounding areas. With capabilities in over 160 countries, Citibank combines the resources of a global financial institution with the care and personal attention of a team of local Texas bankers.

About Citibank

Citibank is part of Citi, the leading global financial services company, which has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Through Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

About the Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts is a "girl-led" organization where girls develop their leadership potential through activities that enable them to discover their values, skills, and the world around them; connect with others in a multicultural environment; and take action to make a difference in the world. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves over 35,000 girls and 16,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties.  For information on how to join, volunteer or donate to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx.org.  

About Watters

Watters, a fashion leader in the bridal industry for over 20 years specializes in designing bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride & flower girl dresses.  A reputation built on integrity & dependability allows Watters products to be represented by leading retailers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  Watters has been fortunate to receive design awards for style innovation, rave press reviews, as well as has been chosen for several celebrity weddings.

For more information on Watters products please visit www.watters.com

SOURCE Citibank