Wall Street Roundup: Citi surprise. Banks win either way.

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Citi surprise. Citigroup surprised analysts with its strong third-quarter earnings, announced Monday morning. The results came on the back of improving credit trends among consumers and despite lackluster results from the company’s investment-banking arm.

Banks win either way. A New York Times investigation found that banks are using an investment method that allows them to profit when times are good and hand off losses when times are bad.

Goldman’s reforms. Goldman Sachs is surveying clients and hiring former critics as it makes the first internal changes to its operations after settling a lawsuit with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bankers met with protests. Bankers gathered for their annual convention in Boston this week were met with protesters angry with the way banks have handled their mortgage and foreclosure agreements.

-- Nathaniel Popper in New York