Subscribe

SEC probes Citi funds after Smith Barney brokers’ protests

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating whether Citigroup Inc. misled investors about the riskiness of some soured debt funds, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating whether Citigroup Inc. misled investors about the riskiness of some soured debt funds, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

Former brokers at Citigroup’s Smith Barney unit made the allegations and were subsequently subpoenaed by the SEC, the Journal said.

They left the company after disagreements over how the funds, including MAT Finance LLC and Falcon, were handled, the newspaper said. The funds invested in municipal bond and mortgage debt, using borrowed money.

Citigroup said it didn’t mislead investors, the Journal said. The SEC and a lawyer for the brokers declined to comment.

Related Topics: ,

Learn more about reprints and licensing for this article.

Recent Articles by Author

Bank of America sounds warning on options-ETF boom

Skeptics says products often fare worse than simpler alternatives.

Gold in flux as investors await Fed meeting

Following a 13 percent advance this year, the price of the yellow metal wavered as traders weigh the odds of harmful rate hikes.

Hedge funds ramp up tech allocations, says Goldman

Data show amped-up net buying in sector through long positions and short-covering even amid a slide in S&P 500 IT index.

Stocks rise following hot March inflation

The S&P 500 is poised to extend gains on tech earnings while short-term Treasury yields fell following brisk rise in Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Fed will cut once before presidential election, says Howard Lutnick

Cantor Fitzgerald’s chief executive predicts the central bank will “show off a little bit” just before voters head to the polls.

X

Subscribe and Save 60%

Premium Access
Print + Digital

Learn more
Subscribe to Print