Citigroup's Living Will: Manageable Challenges Ahead

J.P.Morgan reports that Citigroup's living will, detailing its bankruptcy unwinding plans, has manageable yet potentially bothersome issues for its executives. The U.S. Federal Reserve and FDIC found problems related to Citi’s derivatives portfolios. While requiring legal and management efforts, the impact is deemed manageable. Citi remains committed to addressing regulatory concerns.

The problems with Citigroup's so-called living will, which details how it would be unwound in the event of bankruptcy, are manageable but could be bothersome for its executives, according to J.P.Morgan. Citi was one of four banks whose living wills were found lacking by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp due to shortcomings tied to their derivatives portfolios.

"We expect this will require more work by lawyers, consultants, and management and add to the expense base but we expect the impact should be manageable," J.P.Morgan said. "It adds to the list of issues that management needs to focus on," the brokerage said, noting reports about the setbacks Citi is facing over its consent orders and a recent lawsuit by a former managing director who says she was fired for opposing what she said were attempts to give regulators false information.

Citi has said the lawsuit is "without merit" and vowed to "vigorously defend against it". The bank has been battling concerns around its data management for years. Last week, it told investors it is automating processes and improving data reporting to meet regulators' orders.

Citi declined to comment, and reiterated its statement from last week where it said it was fully committed to addressing the issues identified by regulators.