Here’s a story that’s flown under the radar. Citibank (NYSE: C) is in serious trouble. You probably already knew that, given the fact the banks’ been begging for billions from SWFs. But did you know that in late December Citibank quietly announced a restriction on wire transfers? The bank told customers that outgoing wire transfers from the banks accounts would be limited to just US$2k per day. Hmmn.
But wait. There’s more. Last week, under the guise of responding to a wave of fraud from automated cash machines, Citi also announced a limit on cash withdrawls from its ATMs in New York City. And you thought the money in your bank account was yours.
There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this. But the simplest explanation is almost always the best. Citibank is in desperate need of its capital. The best way to keep your customers money is to prevent them from taking it out of the bank. It’s a kind of low-level, mild-mannered capital control.
How has the Treasury managed the Citi crisis differently than the way the Bank of England managed Northern Rock? And what will the end result be for Citi? Stay tuned.
Dan Denning
The Daily Reckoning Australia
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About the Author
Dan Denning is the author of 2005's best-selling The Bull Hunter (John Wiley & Sons). He began his financial publishing career in 1997 and has covered financial markets form Baltimore, Paris, London and, beginning in 2005 Melbourne. He’s the editor of The Daily Reckoning Australia and the Publisher of Port Phillip Publishing.
Comment by dhukka on 7 January 2008:
Hi there,
If Citi truly is that capital constrained it would appear to be a very major issue.
Do you have a source or further information about this?
Comment by Cluster on 7 January 2008:
Restrictions of $2000 per day are very serious. Is there any proof to back up this claim? It could well be true but without any substantiating evidence in the article it's difficult to believe.
Comment by Jackie on 8 January 2008:
Without prior notice, Citibank has extended my monthly credit card cut-off day from 15/12 to 23/12, which means all the Christmas shopping on the card needs to be paid 1 month earlier - on 7/1/08 instead of 7/2/08!
(My monthly credit card cut-off day is always the 15th for the past 8 years.) I think Citibank is doing it so quietly hoping that no one notice they are in deep trouble.
Comment by HPS on 10 January 2008:
Definitely deep doo doo, and B of A is next. That's what they get for being "the smartest guys in the room." After all, look what those newfangled business practices did for Enron!
I'm getting buzz that news will hit on "slow Friday" designed to keep their customers distracted. They want to avoid a bank run. As if they could.