With global demand leaving retailers desperately short of Apple iPods this Christmas, Citibank could be set to profit by offering the music players as incentives to potential customers.

The banking firm has today further publicised the cunning marketing ploy which gives iPod minis to anyone who opens a Citibank EZ account, providing they check-in approximately £2,000.

The customer then must make two online payments from the account per month, which can be easily set according to Citibank.com managing director Catherine Palmieri.

Ms Palmieri said: “My advice would be to take a car and a mortgage payment, set them up to go out each month, and don’t worry about it.”

The promotion runs until the end of December and allegedly thousands have already taken advantage of the offer.

Apple has moved to assure Citibank that demand will be met although the first may not be mailed until February.