Texas AG to halt most of Citigroup's municipal offerings on gun law row

Texas AG to halt most of Citigroup's municipal offerings on gun law row

(Reuters) -Citigroup Inc has discriminated against the firearms sector, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, making a decision that "has the effect" of Texas

(Reuters) -Citigroup Inc has discriminated against the firearms sector, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, making a decision that "has the effect" of Texas

halting Citi's ability to underwrite most municipal bond offerings in the state. Republicans have been ramping up pressure on the finance industry over environmental, social

halting Citi's ability to underwrite most municipal bond offerings in the state. Republicans have been ramping up pressure on the finance industry over environmental, social

and governance (ESG) investment practices. Texas enacted a law in 2021 prohibiting government contracts with entities that discriminated against the firearms industry. "It

and governance (ESG) investment practices. Texas enacted a law in 2021 prohibiting government contracts with entities that discriminated against the firearms industry. "It

has been determined that Citigroup has a policy that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association", the assistant attorney general chief of the public

has been determined that Citigroup has a policy that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association", the assistant attorney general chief of the public

finance division of Texas AG wrote on Wednesday in the letter seen by Reuters. "Citi's designation as an SB-19 discriminator has the effect of halting its ability to

finance division of Texas AG wrote on Wednesday in the letter seen by Reuters. "Citi's designation as an SB-19 discriminator has the effect of halting its ability to

underwrite most municipal bond offerings in Texas," Paxton's office told Reuters, referring to the law. Until further notice, The Texas AG will not approve any public

underwrite most municipal bond offerings in Texas," Paxton's office told Reuters, referring to the law. Until further notice, The Texas AG will not approve any public

security issued on or after Wednesday in which Citigroup purchases or underwrites the public security, she added in the letter. "Citi does not discriminate against the

security issued on or after Wednesday in which Citigroup purchases or underwrites the public security, she added in the letter. "Citi does not discriminate against the

firearms sector and believe we are in compliance with Texas law", a Citigroup spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters, adding that the company would remain engaged

firearms sector and believe we are in compliance with Texas law", a Citigroup spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters, adding that the company would remain engaged

with the Texas AG office to review options. In 2018, Citigroup put restrictions on new retail business clients that sell guns, requiring that they pass background checks.

with the Texas AG office to review options. In 2018, Citigroup put restrictions on new retail business clients that sell guns, requiring that they pass background checks.

That followed a high school shooting in Florida in February of that year in which 17 people died.

That followed a high school shooting in Florida in February of that year in which 17 people died.