According to Bloomberg,
Ameriprise Financial Inc.
(
AMP
) is almost in final stages of talks to acquire the majority of the
Asian asset-management unit of
ING Groep NV
(
ING
). ING is under stipulation by the European Union to sell its
insurance and investment management division by 2013 as it had been
granted a bailout fund by the Dutch government during the financial
crisis in 2008.
However, ING will not sell its joint ventures in Asia as part of
the deal. The asset-management division in Asia is worth roughly
€150 million ($194 million). The final announcement of the deal
will probably be made in two to three weeks as the companies are
still negotiating on the financial details of the transaction.
Earlier, potential companies like Nikko Asset Management Co.,
Manulife Financial Corporation
(
MFC
), Macquarie Group Ltd. and United Overseas Bank Ltd. had expressed
their interests to acquire ING's Asian asset-management unit.
Based in Amsterdam, ING Groep NV is one of the largest financial
organizations in Europe. However, during the 2008 financial crisis
it had to be bailed out by the Dutch Government. Therefore, under
the orders from regulatory authorities, in August, the company
announced the sale of ING Direct Canada - the Internet banking
division of ING Bank of Canada to
The Bank Of Nova Scotia
(
BNS
). Further, in February 2012, it completed the sale of its online
banking unit, ING Direct USA, to
Capital One Financial Corp.
(
COF
).
The near-term outlook of an economic recovery remains dismal.
Moreover, the regulatory landscape in the U.S. is becoming
stringent with the Federal Reserve's newly proposed rules. Further,
the prevailing low interest rate environment has also marred
Ameriprise's financials.
In order to mitigate these negatives, Ameriprise has been
continuously expanding in Asia through its subsidiary -
Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings. We expect the strategic
deal with ING to help it recover its financials to some extent.
Ameriprise currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into
a short-term Hold rating.
AMERIPRISE FINL (AMP): Free Stock Analysis
Report
BANK OF NOVA SC (BNS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
CAPITAL ONE FIN (COF): Free Stock Analysis
Report
ING GROEP-ADR (ING): Free Stock Analysis Report
MANULIFE FINL (MFC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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