Citigroup denies criminal cartel allegations expected in Australia

FILE PHOTO: A view of the exterior of the Citibank corporate headquarters in New York, New York, U.S. May 20, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Citigroup <C.N> on Friday denied allegations of criminal cartel conduct expected to be laid by Australian prosecutors over its involvement in a $2.3 billion share issue it underwrote for Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd <ANZ.AX> in 2015.

"Citi steadfastly denies the allegations made against it, and certain employees," the bank said in an emailed statement.

"Citi will vigorously defend these allegations on behalf of itself and its employees."

FILE PHOTO - The logo of the ANZ Banking Group is displayed in the window of a newly opened branch in central Sydney, Australia, Aprl 30, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/FIle Photo

(Reporting by Paulina Duran; Editing by Stephen Coates)