Citigroup (C) to Boost Dividend in 2012 says Pandit

With a number of its peers close to reinstating or boosting their dividends, Citigroup (NYSE:C) is attempting to keep shareholders at home by reminding them the bank will be returning capital to shareholders in 2012.

Dividends are a big part of shareholder interest in the giant banks, and with Citigroup probably being last in line to be given the okay by regulators to increase its dividend, they'll be a a significant competitive advantage for about a year or slightly more.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) recently stated they have plans to pay shareholders a dividend sometime in the middle of 2011. Other banks have made similar assertions, although they could be in shape to do it much quicker than Bank of America and Citigroup.

Speaking at the bank's financial services conference, CEO Vikram Pandit gave no details as to a time-frame he's thinking of.

Citigroup was trading at $4.63, down $0.005, or 0.22 percent, as of 1:17 PM EST.