Citibank

I spent nearly all of the three years of law school flat broke. When I graduated, I had (no exaggeration) $44 in my bank account. Rather than travel to Europe following the bar exam like most of my classmates, I had to beg the firm that had hired me to let me start early so that I wouldn't go hungry.

I recall distinctly that about halfway through law school, Citibank cut the limit on my only credit card to an amount that was less than the modest balance on the card. At about the same time, they jacked up the interest rate on my balance and increased the monthly minimum payments. I had relied on that card to carry me from the time I'd burn through my student loan funds until the time I'd get my first paycheck from my summer job; so it was pretty devastating for me to be cut off and led me -- for hopefully the only time in my life -- to have to borrow money from my Dad. Given my financial situation at the time, though, it was pretty sensible for Citibank to take those steps. Now that the tables have turned and it's Citibank that is in a tough financial spot, I think it's time for the taxpayers to insist on the same sensible actions that Citibank would take with one of its cardholders. Let's cut these guys off.