Citi to Shrink by a Third— Back to Pre-Merger Size

(NEWSER) - Rumors of Citigroup’s plan to merge its brokerage unit with that of Morgan Stanley have proven true, as both companies’ boards approved the move today, CNBC reports. Morgan Stanley will control 51% of the joint venture between its operation and Citi’s Smith Barney. Observers see Stanley’s option to increase its stake later as a sign that Citi will eventually leave the brokerage business entirely. More»

Merger or sale become options as bank scrambles to stop the drop

(NEWSER) - Citigroup is keeping all its options on the table as its share price plunges—including selling itself, insiders tell the Wall Street Journal. The battered giant's share price plummeted another 26% yesterday—its worst one-day hit ever—chalking up an 83% dive for the year. Directors plan crisis talks today. More»

Bank faces 'extremely challenging' conditions, CEO says

(NEWSER) - Citigroup plans to cut some 4,500 jobs—2% of its global workforce—in the coming months as it "faces an extremely challenging operating environment," CEO Vikram Pandit warns. Pandit, who has cut more than 100,000 jobs at Citi since taking charge in 2007, says regulatory changes and the euro zone crisis are among the factors forcing the company to cut costs as revenue slumps, Reuters reports. More»

He'll make at least $23.2 million; had been earning $1

(NEWSER) - Vikram Pandit isn’t the lowest-paid guy on Wall Street anymore. Citigroup has rewarded its CEO, who has worked for a token $1 salary for the past two years, with a massive retention package. If the company hits its estimated performance, Pandit will make $23.2 million in stock and cash. But if it hits the loftier numbers analysts are expecting, that windfall will balloon to $42 million, Bloomberg reports. More»

Still smarting from bad mortgage bets, the company will split to remain solvent

(NEWSER) - Citigroup lost $8.29 billion in the fourth quarter—twice as much as expected—as the credit crisis continues to batter big banks, Bloomberg reports. The bank suffered a net loss of $1.72 per share, falling far short of analysts’ estimates. Citigroup, which lost 77 percent of its trading value last year as it accepted $45 billion in bailout funds, now looks to split into two entities. More»