Brazil’s antitrust body settles case with Citibank, Société Générale related to currency manipulation probe

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – (This June 22 story corrects headline and first paragraph to show that the payment is a settlement between the banks and Brazil’s watchdog, not a fine; adds Citibank statement that it has not been found or admitted to any wrong doing)

Brazil’s antitrust watchdog said on Wednesday it reached an agreement with the Brazilian units of Citibank and Société Générale to settle a case related to an exchange rate manipulation investigation dated almost a decade ago.

Citibank has committed to pay 71.6 million reais ($13.78 million) and Société will pay 5.57 million reais ($1.07 million), the watchdog Cade said.

Cade said there was evidence dating back to 2016 of the banks price fixing their currency spreads, and coordinating the purchase and sale of currencies involving the Brazilian real.

Citigroup said in a statement that the settlement is not a fine and the bank has not been found or admitted to any wrong doing. It added that the settlement shall not, according to law, be mistaken with any ruling or merits of the case.

($1 = 5.1945 reais)

(Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr.; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Tom Hogue))