(March 6): Amundi SA, KKR & Co and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd’s Seviora unit are bidding for United Overseas Bank Ltd’s asset management arm, according to people familiar with the matter.
The three have submitted non-binding offers to invest in UOB Asset Management Ltd, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. A key aspect of the negotiations is how much of its distribution network in Southeast Asia UOB is willing to include, two of the people said.
Talks are ongoing and no final decisions have been made, the people said, adding that a transaction might not materialize, while other parties could also make a bid.
A spokesperson for UOB said the bank doesn’t comment on market rumours or speculation. UOB is focused on delivering long-term value to shareholders and meeting the evolving needs of customers, the spokesperson said.
Amundi, Seviora, Temasek and KKR declined to comment.
UOB has been exploring options for its asset management arm, including a possible sale, as the Singaporean lender seeks to streamline its portfolio, people familiar with the matter said in December. A transaction may value UOB’s asset management business at several hundred million dollars, some of the people have said.
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Established in 1986, the wholly owned UOB subsidiary had about $41 billion of assets under management as of the end of November. In addition to Singapore, the asset manager has a presence in Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
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