Citigroup to pay $100 million to settle U.S. Libor rigging probe
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The settlement with the third-largest U.S. bank was announced by New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood, whose office has led a probe by 41 states and Washington, D.C. of rate rigging by several banks.
Citigroup did not admit or deny wrongdoing, and agreed to cooperate.
The states accused Citigroup of concealing from market participants that it made improper Libor submissions to avoid negative publicity and protect its reputation, and had concerns that other banks' submissions were inappropriate.
Citigroup's alleged misconduct occurred in 2008 and 2009, during a global financial crisis that led to its acceptance of three U.S. government bailouts.
"Our office has zero tolerance for fraudulent or manipulative conduct that undermines our financial markets," Underwood said in a statement. "Financial institutions have a basic responsibility to play by the rules - and we will continue to hold those accountable who don't." ■