Charlie Peabody of Portales Partners “deconstructed” an internal memo of Vikram Pandit, Citi’s CEO, on the bank’s repayment of the TARP loan:

Citigroup: “Today we announce a series of transactions to repay the $20 billion of TARP outstanding and terminate the asset guarantee we received from the U.S. Government.”

Translation: I am sick of working for $1 per year.

Citigroup: “Today we are strongly capitalized…”

Translation: We have diluted the shareholders by a factor of six.

Citigroup: “… efficient…”

Translation: We have cut the company in half.

Citigroup: “…and created a strong foundation for the future.”

Translation: We are working on a strategy.

Citigroup: “There are still economic challenges ahead…”

Translation: Forget about any kind of bonus.

Citigroup: “Over the past few months, I have visited many of you in the U.S and around the world…”

Translation: I am trying to avoid the home office.