NAB completes due diligence on AXA
One of the earliest hurdles to National Australia Bank’s (NAB’s) acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific (AXA APH) has been cleared, with NAB and AXA announcing the completion of confirmatory due diligence.
The two companies announced to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) today that the NAB proposal, which would see it acquire AXA Asia Pacific while AXA APH divested its Asian business to its French parent, AXA SA, remained subject to a number of further hurdles, including actually reaching agreement with its parent.
It said discussions could not commence with AXA SA until the conclusion of the exclusivity agreement between AXA SA and AMP, thought to be around February 6.
“In the event agreement is reached between AXA APH, NAB and AXA SA, implementation of the NAB proposal will be subject to a number of conditions, including approval by AXA APH’s minority shareholders and certain regulatory approvals,” the ASX announcement said.
The transaction is currently subject to scrutiny by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and AMP has indicated that it has not abandoned its strategy with respect AXA APH.
AUTHOR
Mike Taylor
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