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15:54 GMT, Sunday, 23 November 2008

Citigroup seeks 'emergency cash'

Citigroup

Executives of Citigroup, one of the biggest banks in the US, are in emergency talks with the US Treasury to gain much-needed funding, reports say.

The bank is also said to have contacted certain shareholders to assess their interest in increasing their stakes as as it faces an uncertain future.

Citigroup stock ended 20% lower on Friday as its board members met.

Last week the company announced 52,000 job losses worldwide on top of 23,000 job cuts previously announced.

No one from Citigroup was immediately available for comment.

There are fears that without further funding the bank might not be able to survive. Any money would be in addition to the $25bn injection it received in October from the US Treasury.

Options being discussed included a government cash injection as well as Citigroup selling some of its business, reported The Sunday Times.

Chief executive Vikram Pandit told employees on Friday that the firm did not want to change its business model, Reuters reported, citing two employees.

He also reiterated that the firm had a robust capital position.

But Sean Egan, analyst at ratings agency Egan-Jones Ratings, said, "Citigroup needs a deep-pocketed investor that is ready, willing, and able to step up in the next few days."

"The only one who comes to mind is the government," he said, adding that $50bn might be needed.

In a bid to reassure investors, Citigroup is running advertisements in US and international newspapers on Sunday underlining its stability.

It is widely expected that Citigroup will issue a statement on Monday before the US markets open.



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Related to this story:
Citigroup plunges on uncertainty (21 Nov 08 |  Business )
Citigroup job cull to hit 75,000 (17 Nov 08 |  Business )
Citigroup boss shows his mettle (17 Nov 08 |  Business )
Citigroup ends Wachovia dispute (09 Oct 08 |  Business )

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