Citibank Fined for Interest Rate Manipulation

Citibank will pay a huge fine for manipulating an important interest rate. The bank settled with US attorneys general in 42 states for $100 million. Following an investigation, the states said Citibank manipulated Libor, a benchmark interest rate that helps set lending rates across the world, CNN reported. Citibank made millions of dollars from its “fraudulent conduct,” the attorneys general said. “Our office has zero tolerance for fraudulent or manipulative conduct that undermines our financial markets,” New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a press statement. “Financial institutions have a basic responsibility to play by the rules—and we will continue to hold those accountable who don’t.” This is the third bank that settled with state attorneys general for illegally influencing the Libor. Barclays, Deutsche Bank and now Citibank have been fined $420 million collectively. Citibank agreed to comply with ongoing investigations into other banks’ Libor cases.