Bloomberg reports Citigroup (C) may decide to sell its consumer-banking unit in Germany. The company is exploring “a variety of options” for the unit, a spokesman said, which has about 340 branches in Germany and is the biggest consumer-lending business in the country. Some believe a sale could fetch between 5 billion to 6 billion euros ($7.8 to 9.36 billion).

The plan could be part of a process CEO Vikram Pandit announced earlier this month that it would shed $400 billion of assets over the next three years. Citigroup has come under pressure as the company has had to write down over $40 billion in losses over the last year. To date, Citigroup has raised over $44 billion to shore up its balance sheet.

For more, see Professor Glenn Curtis’ column Citigroup CEO Finally Flexes Muscles.

From the Bull Pen: Bulls are eyeing plays like Visa (V), which ended higher on a down day for the financials. Professor Sean Udall even mentioned that the stock at $75 is especially appealing.


From the Bear Cave: Isn’t Germany one of the strongest economies in Europe? Bears believe this is a big mistake and might even see a head and shoulders pattern develop should the stock approach $25.


Have a great weekend!