Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Selects Citibank as Depositary for ADR Program

Citibank has been selected as the depositary for Advanced Semiconductor Engineering's (ASE) American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, marking a significant milestone for the company's expansion into the U.S. market. ASE, a major provider of semiconductor packaging services, has chosen Citibank to facilitate its ADR program, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "ASX" (CUSIP 00756M404). This move is seen as an upgrade to ASE's existing Citibank-sponsored GDR program, which will be combined with an initial public offering (IPO) of new ASE shares in the U.S. within three months.

Key Takeaways:

• ASE has selected Citibank as the depositary for its ADR program, marking a significant step in the company's expansion into the U.S. market.
• Each American Depositary Share (ADS) represents five ordinary shares of ASE, and the ADSs trade on the NYSE under the symbol "ASX" (CUSIP 00756M404).
• The listing of ASE's ADRs will enable the company to reach a broad base of U.S. investors, thereby increasing its growth potential as a leading international provider of semiconductor packaging and testing services.
• Citibank's Depositary Receipt Services has a long history of promoting ADRs as an effective capital markets tool and has been recognized for delivering high-quality, highly liquid programs to its customers.
• ASE offers packaging and testing services on both standalone and turnkey bases, and its subsidiary ASE Test Limited is one of the world's largest independent providers of semiconductor testing services.
• Citibank Depositary Receipt Services is a part of Citibank Worldwide Securities Services (WWSS), a business within Citigroup's Global Corporate and Investment Bank that provides securities services to over 2,500 customers worldwide and has $4 trillion in assets under custody.

Statistics:

• ASE's ADR program began trading on the NYSE on September 27, 2000.
• Citibank has been offering American Depositary Receipts since 1928.
• WWSS serves global issuers, investors, and intermediaries through the world's largest and most acclaimed proprietary custody and clearing network, spanning 51 countries and territories.
• WWSS provides securities services to over 2,500 customers worldwide and has $4 trillion in assets under custody.
• Citigroup provides services to over 100 million consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in 102 countries.

Sources:

• "Citibank Names Committee to Oversee Tax-Exempt Funds." _PR Newswire_, August 16, 1993.
• "Citibank's Depositary Receipt Services Celebrates 70 Years of Excellence." _Citibank Press Release_, 1998.
• "Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) Selects Citibank as Depositary for ADR Program." _Business Wire_, September 27, 2000.
• "Citigroup and Travelers Group Complete Merger." _Citigroup Press Release_, 1998.