Financial services major Citigroup has begun talks with private equity groups and hedge funds over the sale of $3 billion-worth of car loans as part of its efforts to cleanse its balance sheet, says a media report. Here is the original post: Citigroup seeks to sell $3 bn worth car loans: report (Business Standard India)

Illegal loans rose almost 60 percent last year as Singaporeans reeling from the economic crisis turned to loan sharks to tide them over the tough times, a senior police official said Monday. The rest is here: Sharp rise in illegal loans: Singapore police (AFP via Yahoo! Asia News)

Citigroup has held talks with private equity groups and hedge funds over the sale of $3 billion in car loans in a move to clear troubled assets from its balance sheet, The Financial Times reported. Follow this link: Citi in Talks Over $3 Billion in Car Loans, Report Says (New York Times)

Qatar- First Finance board’s nod for takeover by Barwa Bank Originally posted here: Qatar- First Finance board’s nod for takeover by Barwa Bank (MENAFN)

Feb. 8 (Bloomberg) — South African business confidence fell for a second consecutive month in January as consumer spending remained weak, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. Excerpt from: South African Business Confidence Declines for Second Month (Bloomberg)

Feb. 8 (Bloomberg) — French business confidence climbed in January to an almost two-year high and the country’s economy will probably expand by 0.5 percent in the first quarter, the central bank said. More here: French Business Sentiment Climbs to Almost Two-Year High (Bloomberg)