Citigroup reported a loss per share of 18 cents, which was narrower than the 34 cents analysts predicted. A year ago, the company suffered a loss of more than $5 billion, or $1.03 a share. Shares rose 12 percent in pre-market trading. Citigroup has been the weakest of the large U.S. banks, posting quarterly losses since the fourth quarter of 2007, but in March, CEO Vikram Pandit triggered a stock market rally after he said that January and February had been profitable for Citigroup.  It was one of the first signals that the banking industry might not be as sick as many believed.

Earlier that month, fears that banks would need to be nationalized sent stocks plunging to 12-year lows. Citigroup’s better-than-expected report on Friday came after surprisingly solid earnings from JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Wells Fargo & Co. over the past several days. While recent results from these healthier banks have brought some relief to investors, many have been waiting to see how more troubled banks such as Citigroup have fared. 

On Wall Street, futures spiked early Friday following the earnings announcements, retreated slightly as investors looked deeper into the reports, then moved higher again. Still, the moves were modest as investors were mindful of the weakness that still pervades the financial sector.

Mr. Obama met with the bankers at the White House, seeking their support for his plan to stabilize the financial system and move beyond the furor over bailouts and bonuses.

Among the bank leaders were the chief executives of Wells Fargo Bank, the Goldman Sachs Group, the Bank of New York-Mellon and JPMorgan Chase.