March 17 (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc and Barclays Plc are close to settling as early as this week a lawsuitwith private investors who say the banks manipulatedforeign-exchange rates, the Wall Street Journal said.
The two banks are expected to pay as much as $800 million insettlement, the daily said, citing people close to thesituation. (http://on.wsj.com/1EZPsY0)
Barclays declined to comment. Citigroup could not beimmediately reached.
JPMorgan Chase & Co agreed to pay about $100 millionto settle the same lawsuit in January and UBS AG agreed to pay $135 million last week.
Investors including hedge funds and public pension fundsaccused 12 banks of having conspired since January 2003 in chatrooms, instant messages and emails to manipulate the WM/ReutersClosing Spot Rates.
The 2013 lawsuit is separate from criminal and civil probesworldwide into whether banks rigged currency rates to boostprofit at the expense of customers and investors. (Reporting by Amrutha Gayathri in Bengaluru; Editing by DonSebastian)
Barclays (BARC)
