Wachovia, Suitors Agree to Truce

Fed Urges Banks to Resolve Legal Battle

Wachovia, Wells Fargo and Citigroup have suspended their courtroom squabbles until noon tomorrow to try to negotiate a settlement of Wachovia's future.

The sides agreed to the truce under pressure from the Federal Reserve, which is eager for Wells Fargo and Citigroup to resolve their rival bids for control of the North Carolina bank. The extraordinary fight is unfolding amid general financial anxiety, and regulators want to avoid prolonged uncertainty about three of the nation's largest banks.

Citigroup agreed to buy most of Wachovia for about $2 billion early last week in a rescue orchestrated by federal regulators. Days later, Wells Fargo agreed to buy all of Wachovia for about $15 billion. Wachovia accepted the Wells Fargo deal because it appeared to be more lucrative for shareholders and would allow the company to be swallowed whole.

Wachovia is the largest bank in the Washington area.

The bank's deal with Wells Fargo provoked a furious reaction from Citigroup, which had signed an agreement with Wachovia to talk only with each other about a final merger agreement.

A series of lawsuits were filed, and hearings were scheduled for this week.

But under prodding from regulators, the firms are discussing options including allowing both Citigroup and Wells Fargo to buy pieces of Wachovia.

The sense of urgency was underscored by investors, who sold Citigroup's shares down 5 percent yesterday, to $17.41. Wells Fargo fell nearly 3 percent, to $33.64.

"We are pleased to participate with the Federal Reserve Board in a fair-minded, good-faith process to achieve a prompt and successful outcome," a Citigroup spokeswoman said.

Wachovia and Wells Fargo also said they supported a truce.

Federal regulators have told Wachovia that it must accept an offer soon because the bank has sustained massive losses on mortgage loans and lacks the money to stay in business. In a recent affidavit, Wachovia's chief executive Robert K. Steel said regulators told the bank that it was about to be seized immediately before Wachovia accepted the Citigroup offer, and again before Wachovia accepted the Wells Fargo offer on Friday.

A Wachovia collapse would impose formidable costs on the government, but rescuing the company will also be expensive.