Citi Slicker

DAVID KARP/AP; right: STEPHEN CHERNIN/AP

HEAD TO HEAD: Spitzer, left, wants to make an example of Citi to force major reforms;Weill wants a "global" settlement to resolve Citi's many problems

It was an awkward moment. Sandy Weill, the world's most powerful banker, came face-to-face with Eliot Spitzer, the toughest cop on Wall Street. Both were among the guests at a Sept. 10 lunch hosted by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion. Their exchange was brief. But Weill, 69, CEO of Citigroup, indicated he was eager to talk about the ugly business that Spitzer, the ambitious New York State attorney general, has been finding in his probe of the financial behemoth. Within days a high-level session followed, and even Spitzer was impressed with Weill's sense of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!