Citi Sells Stake to Abu Dhabi Fund

NEW YORK — Citigroup said late Monday that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will invest $7.5 billion in the nation’s largest bank, offering needed capital to offset big losses from mortgages and other investments.

The cash from the sovereign investment fund of the Gulf Arab state, which has been a beneficiary of this year’s surge in oil prices, will be convertible into no more than 4.9 percent of Citigroup Inc.’s equity. Citigroup characterized the investment as passive and said the fund will not be able to name any board members to the bank.


The Investment Authority would become one of Citi’s largest shareholders.

The Abu Dhabi investment, which was expected to close within the next several days, will be considered Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes, helping Citi reach its goal of returning to its target capital ratios in the first half of 2008, the bank said.

AP