Citigroup to cut 4,500 jobs

Citigroup chief executive Vikram Pandit announced Tuesday that the bank would cut 4,500 jobs as it tries to cut costs in the face of tougher market conditions. \"We have started a firm-wide reduction of headcount this quarter that will affect roughly 4,500 positions and will be completed over the next few quarters,\" Pandit told a industry conference. But the layoffs will come at a stiff price for the company. \"We anticipate recording a charge in the fourth quarter for severance and other expenses related to this of approximately $400 million,\" he said. While income for the bank leapt in the third quarter, that was largely thanks to a one-off change in credit costs. Revenue was basically flat, amid what Pandit called \"a challenging economic environment.\"