Financials
BofAML to retain at least 5% of its CCB holding
Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML) has agreed to extend its partnership with China Construction Bank (CCB) until the at least the end of 2012. Zhang Jianguo, president of CCB, said the US bank, which currently has a 10% stake in the Chinese lender,...
PE-backed Muthoot Finance seeks to raise $218m
Muthoot Finance, India’s largest gold-loan non-banking finance company (NBFC) plans to raise INR10 billion ($218 million) through the issue of listed retail non-convertible debentures (NCDs). It would follow four rival NBFCs, including Mannapuram Finance...
GCM eyes failed Incubator Bank of Japan
GCM, a Tokyo-based investment bank formed by former Sanwa bankers, is reportedly in bidding for the bankrupt Incubator Bank of Japan. It is competing with AEON Bank, a banking unit of AEON Group, for the asset.
Indonesia bans banking sector takeovers
Indonesia’s central bank has temporarily barred takeovers in the banking sector – where there is considerable interest from foreign private equity investors – as it considers a review of ownership rules. The central bank is still drafting the policy and...
IFC seeks exit from Bank of Shanghai
The International Finance Corp. (IFC), the World Bank's investment arm, is seeking unload its 7% holding in Bank of Shanghai (BoS), according to Reuters.
Bank of America struggles to find buyers for CCB stake
Bank of America is struggling to find buyers for its 10% stake in China Construction Bank as investors are wary of forthcoming rights issues, share sales and new listings by Chinese lenders.
New China Life targets $4b IPO
New China Life Insurance, which is part-owned by several private equity interests, plans to raise up to $4 billion through a dual IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Ex-AIA boss seeks PE backing to buy Aviva's non-core businesses
Former AIA CEO Mark Wilson is trying to raise private equity funding to bid for Aviva’s non-core emerging markets business, The Financial Times, reported, citing people familiar with the situation. The UK firm is considering a sell-off of its smaller...
Punjab National Bank to take 30% stake in MetLife India
Punjab National Bank (PNB) will take a 30% stake in MetLife India, an insurer that counts M Pallonji Enterprises, Jammu Kashmir Bank, IGE and several private equity firms among its shareholders. M Pallonji is also believed to be part-owned by GS Strategic...
UBS to launch private equity funds in China
UBS has set up an asset management unit in Beijing that will target private equity, Reuters reported. The unit, known as UBS Global Asset Management (China), will launch private equity funds, make direct investments and provide management and advisory...
GE Capital, Mitsui to target US commercial finance assets
GE Capital and Tokyo-based Mitsui will create an investment management program through which they will co-invest in US commercial finance assets. They also plan to explore global opportunities in areas such as financing for original equipment manufacturers...
Carlyle in third China Pacific sell-down since December
The Carlyle Group is selling nearly one-third of its stake in China Pacific Insurance for up to $1 billion, according to a term sheet seen by Dow Jones Newswires. The transaction would be the latest in a series of sell-downs that have put the private...
Is China pushing VCs out of third-party payment?
Jack Ma is every bite the internet pioneer. In Alibaba.com, he created China’s leading business-to-business trading platform; Taobao swept aside eBay to become the number-one auction website; and the launch of Alipay, a third-party payment service, plugged...
KEXIM to sell KEB stake as part of Lone Star transaction
Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) will sell a 6.25% stake in Korea Exchange Bank to Hana Financial Group as a “tag along” to Hana’s purchase of Lone Star’s holding in the bank, according to Yonhap, a South Korean news agency. The tag along right is...
CLSA invests $20m in Indonesian auto financing firm
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSACP) has agreed to pay $20 million for a minority stake in PT Sinar Mitra Sepadan Finance (SMS Finance), an Indonesian auto financing firm.
CICC tipped to acquire stake in Chinese trust company
China International Capital Corp. (CICC) is poised to buy a stake in Zheshang Trust, stretching its financial industry scope to include the country’s innovative yet opaque trust sector. The company, which is part-owned by TPG Capital and KKR, will likely...
Lone Star to begins Tokyo Star divestment process - report
US-based buyout fund Lone Star has begun preparations to divest its 30% stake in Japanese lender Tokyo Star Bank, Reuters reported, adding that Lone Star has asked investment banks to submit proposals to advise on the potential sale.
Apollo, ICICI Venture to launch non-banking finance company in India
Apollo Global Management and ICICI Venture are planning to launch a joint venture non-banking finance company (NBFC) in India to tap the country’s growing financial services sector, The Economic Times reported, citing people familiar with the plans.
Indonesia considers cap on foreign ownership of local banks
Indonesia is considering limits on foreign ownership of domestic banks at a time when private equity firms are keen to boost their exposure to the sector. Darmin Nasution, the central bank governor, said that the potential impact of the regulations is...
Fairfax unit, headed by Raghavan, seeks Indian investments
Fairfax Financial Holdings is targeting minority or controlling stakes in listed and unlisted companies in India. Investments will be made through its subsidiary Fairbridge Capital, Mint reported.
PE firms target Indian non-banking financial companies
Private equity firms have invested $200 million in six Indian non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) since the start of the year despite regulators saying they will tighten their grip on the sector, Live Mint reported.
Chinese securities firms cleared to participate in private equity
Chinese regulators have formalized a five-year-old pilot program under which securities firms can participate in private equity, Reuters reported.
Lone Star, Hana agree on cut-price deal for KEB
Lone Star will sell its stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to Hana Financial Group for just over KRW4.4 trillion ($4.16 billion), after both sides agreed to cut the price tag by KRW283 billion ($266 million). The price for the 51% stake in KEB has been...
In the market for Asia financials
Robert Morse quit his role CEO of Citigroup’s Asia Institutional Clients Group in 2008 to become managing director, chairman and co-CEO of Primus Financial Holdings. He discusses the perks and pitfalls of investing in the financial sector.