After pulling off two consecutive quarterly profits, Citigroup posted a loss in the third quarter as spiraling consumer losses overwhelmed its strong trading results.

The banking giant said that it had a loss to stockholders of 27 cents a share or $3.2 billion, compared with a loss of $2.9 billion, or 61 cents a share, in the third quarter a year ago. The bank reported a profit from continuing operations of $101 million.

The results included $8 billion in credit losses and come as Vikram S. Pandit has been struggling to turn around the troubled bank, in which taxpayers own a 34 percent stake.

Mr. Pandit, the chief executive, has been trying to shrink the bank&S217;s balance sheet and whip its businesses into shape amid the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. All the while, he is also trying to find a way to repay part the $45 billion in federal aid and get out from the under the government&S217;s thumb. Citigroup&S217;s resultson Thursday came on the coattails of its trading operations, which cranked out good results from its bond and currency businesses. Still, its credit card and mortgage businesses are hemorrhaging money. And the bank added another $802 million to reserves as it braces for several more quarters of losses.

Revenue increased about 25 percent, to $20.39 billion from $16.25 billion.

&S220;This was an important quarter for us. The completion of the exchange offers and the significant actions taken during the last few quarters have created a strong foundation short term personal loans. With strong capital, strong liquidity and a strong franchise, we are looking forward,&S221; Mr. Pandit said. &S220;We continue to execute steadily against our plan, and sustainable profitability remains our primary goal in the near term. While consumer credit trends are improving in international markets, the U.S. consumer credit environment remains challenging.&S221;

In addition, Citigroup broke its results into two segments for the second consecutive quarter. Citicorp, its core consumer and corporate banking operation, had $2.2 billion profit in the third quarter. Citi Holdings, which contains the money-losing businesses and toxic assets the bank plans to sell, showed a $1.9 billion quarterly loss. It was weighed down by the heavy losses tied to private-label credit cards, mortgages, and consumer loans.

Citigroup&S217;s numbers follow the strong showings by JPMorgan Chase, whose higher-than-expected $3.6 billion profit on Wednesday ignited the stock market, and Goldman Sachs, which reported a profit of $3.19 billion earlier Thursday. Although consumer loan losses throughout the industry remain high, there are signs that they might start moderating.

Citigroup’s Struggles Continue in Third Quarter