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Rumours over Citigroup boss mount Rumours over Citigroup boss mount
(4 days later)
Citigroup boss Charles Prince looks set to resign as the bank prepares for an emergency board meeting, say reports.Citigroup boss Charles Prince looks set to resign as the bank prepares for an emergency board meeting, say reports.
Investor calls for his resignation have increased since the bank reported a 57% drop in quarterly profits, after losses in the sub-prime mortgage market.Investor calls for his resignation have increased since the bank reported a 57% drop in quarterly profits, after losses in the sub-prime mortgage market.
Citigroup, which declined to comment on the reports, is the latest firm to be hit by the credit crisis.Citigroup, which declined to comment on the reports, is the latest firm to be hit by the credit crisis.
Merrill Lynch chief executive Stan O'Neill resigned on Tuesday after the firm reported heavy losses. Merrill Lynch chief executive Stan O'Neal resigned on Tuesday after the firm reported heavy losses.
The latest spate of poor earnings from US banks have prompted concerns that the worst of the credit crisis may be yet to come.The latest spate of poor earnings from US banks have prompted concerns that the worst of the credit crisis may be yet to come.
Speculation about the future of Citigroup has intensified since Friday, when the Wall Street Journal said the firm was set for an emergency meeting on Sunday, according to a source close to the situation.Speculation about the future of Citigroup has intensified since Friday, when the Wall Street Journal said the firm was set for an emergency meeting on Sunday, according to a source close to the situation.
The firm's shares ended the week 2% lower by close of trade on Friday in New York, at $37.73.The firm's shares ended the week 2% lower by close of trade on Friday in New York, at $37.73.
In the three months to the end of September, net income dropped to $2.38bn from $5.51bn a year earlier.In the three months to the end of September, net income dropped to $2.38bn from $5.51bn a year earlier.
At the time of the results Mr Prince said: "A significant amount of our income decline was in our fixed-income business, where we have a long track record of strong earnings, and this quarter's performance was well below our expectations."At the time of the results Mr Prince said: "A significant amount of our income decline was in our fixed-income business, where we have a long track record of strong earnings, and this quarter's performance was well below our expectations."
On 1 October, the firm - which has more than 300,000 staff worldwide including 12,000 in the UK - had projected a 60% drop in quarterly earnings.On 1 October, the firm - which has more than 300,000 staff worldwide including 12,000 in the UK - had projected a 60% drop in quarterly earnings.
"This was a disappointing quarter, even in the context of the dislocations in the sub-prime mortgage and credit markets," said Mr Prince."This was a disappointing quarter, even in the context of the dislocations in the sub-prime mortgage and credit markets," said Mr Prince.
Wider problemWider problem
Before the weekend Deutsche Bank analyst Mike Mayo predicted that investment banks will need to write down a further $10bn in the last quarter of the year.Before the weekend Deutsche Bank analyst Mike Mayo predicted that investment banks will need to write down a further $10bn in the last quarter of the year.
He forecast that Citigroup and Merrill would be hardest hit, seeing in the region of $4bn losses each.He forecast that Citigroup and Merrill would be hardest hit, seeing in the region of $4bn losses each.
Meanwhile, James Cayne - the head of Bear Stearns - has also faced criticism after seeing huge losses stemming from problems in the sub-prime mortgage sector.Meanwhile, James Cayne - the head of Bear Stearns - has also faced criticism after seeing huge losses stemming from problems in the sub-prime mortgage sector.
And it is not just US firms whose leaders have been under fire for a rise in bad debts.And it is not just US firms whose leaders have been under fire for a rise in bad debts.
The UK's Northern Rock saw its chairman Matt Ridley resign recently after a run on the bank in September.The UK's Northern Rock saw its chairman Matt Ridley resign recently after a run on the bank in September.