Hong Kong banks tell staff: Cancel meetings, watch family, be safe

HONG KONG (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc warned Hong Kong staff to avoid illegal gatherings after police grabbed one of its investment bankers off a sidewalk. As protests raged, firms across the city urged workers to consider staying home to ensure their families’ safety.

On a conference call Wednesday, Citigroup told personnel to steer clear of escalating clashes between protesters and police, people familiar with the situation said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. One of its bankers is the person seen in a video that has circulated widely on social media, according to the people.