Citibank Credit Card Settlement

Settling with creditors can be an excellent way to resolve outstanding debt. Unfortunately, debt settlement can also be a complicated and sometimes difficult process involving multiple rounds of negotiations, strict due dates, and of course, the need to raise the money to actually pay the settlement. Thankfully, you already have a good bit of experience in negotiating with unsecured creditors.

Congratulations on your reaching settlements with your other creditors. Settling $41,000 in debt is quite an accomplishment. After negotiating on so much other debt, settling with Citibank on this final account should not be too much of a challenge, though I will admit that Citibank can be difficult when it comes to accepting settlement offers. Regardless of this reputation, I have seen Citibank settle with consumers on reasonable terms on many occasions, so you should not allow the bank’s current demands to force you into a less favorable agreement.

Settlement Percentages

It is not uncommon for creditors to change their internal settlement parameters from time to time. Therefore, it does not surprise me that Citibank's 50% settlement offer changed at the beginning of the year to the higher 70% offer. But these periodic changes can also go in the other direction, so even though they will only accept 70%, their guidelines could change again next month, allowing for the 50% offer to be accepted. You should continue to communicate with Citibank to express your desire to settle this account, but to also insist that you cannot settle for more than the 50% previously offered.

Be Ready to Pay

As far as the funding of the settlement, you should certainly try to raise the necessary funds as soon as possible to be prepared if Citibank does decide to accept your offer. Many creditors request payment within a relatively short time frame once a settlement is agreed upon; however, I would still continue to communicate with Citibank as long as you think that you can raise the funds needed to pay the settlement, if accepted, within a couple of months. You probably should not call Citibank and make offers that you cannot realistically afford to pay. If Citi accepts your offer and you are unable to pay the settlement, it could damage you ability to negotiate with them in the future.

Structured Settlements

In some cases, creditors agree to a settlement will allow 30 to 60 days or more to finalize the payment of a settlement amount, as long as a significant portion of the settlement can be paid soon after the agreement is finalized. Creditors may also be willing to take the settlement amount in payments that are spread out over a number of months. This is called a structured settlement.

Don't be Intimidated

The key to successfully negotiating with your creditors is not let strong-arm collection tactics intimidate you and pressure you into accepting an agreement which you cannot afford or which you do not feel is in your best interest. Many people choose to hire a third party debt negotiation firm to work with their creditors on their behalf because it is much easier for a third party representative to remain emotionally detached from the situation. Working with a professional debt settlement firm is even more attractive now that you can find a reputable firm that charges no-upfront fees. You won't have to pay anything for the firm's services, until after one of your accounts is settled.

Next steps

You should focus on your goal of settling the account and keep in mind that much of what collectors will tell you is designed to frighten and upset you, which can make it easier for the collectors to force you to make a decision that may not be in your best interest.

This account is large, and you could very credibly state that a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is not out of the question for your situation if Citibank will not agree to settle this account for an amount that you can afford. You may wish to tell them that you had to scrape up the money to meet the 50% offer and you have exhausted all of your financial resources. Once you reach an agreement with the creditor, make sure that it sends you a copy of the terms in writing before you make payment.

If you would like to learn more about negotiating with your creditors, I invite you to visit the Bills.com Debt Negotiation and Settlement page.

Additional resources

I have answered other reader questions regarding Citi credit card accounts. See Renegotiate Citi Credit Card Settlement Agreement to understand your options if you have a settlement agreement with Citi you can no longer afford; Citibank Hardship Program for tips on how to enter Citibank's credit card hardship program; Negotiate Citibank Debt to learn what to expect when negotiating debt with Citibank; and Citibank Settlement for ideas on how to negotiate with a collection agency that owns a Citibank collection account, and Consolidating Citi Credit Card Debt.

I hope that the information I have provided helps you Find. Learn. Save.

Best,

Bill

bills.com