Financial Roundup: Citi Ponders Future, Deflation Worries, Commercial Paper Up, China Promises Non-Polluting Lending

(MoneyWatch)  Citi ponders future ?€" Its stock price plunging, CitiGroup Inc. is considering selling itself or its parts. The venerable bank claims it has a strong capital and liquidity position but its stock has slipped 50 percent this week. [Source: The Wall Street Journal]
Deflation fears rise ?€" Falling prices for fuel, food and consumer goods may trigger a deflation spiral. Economists worry that consumer won't spend while waiting for better prices. [Source: The Washington Post]

Commercial paper up ?€" It might not seem like it, but the commercial paper is up for the fourth straight week. For the week ended Wednesday, total outstanding paper rose from $11.1 billion to $1.6 trillion, suggesting credit is loosening up. [Source: Cfo.com]

Kansas bank hopes for wealth management growth ?€" Country Club Bank of Prairie Village, Kan., is beefing up its investment advisory business. Assets could jump from $750 million to $5 billion over five years. [Source: American Banker]

Chinese banks prohibited from hurting environment ?€" Pollution-sodden China has announced new banking regulations to limit ecological destruction. Lending, for example, will be curtailed to wayward iron and steel industries. [Source: Friends of the Earth]