
Nov
08
AMP Renews Interest in Axa Asia Pacific Holdings
Posted on Nov 08, 2010 by Sergio Ulloa (G+)
AXA, the France based insurer, has reportedly entered talks with Australian wealth management group AMP in a bid to take over AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd. The joint bid - in excess of A$ 10 billion (US$ 10 billion) - has come to light after previous takeover pursuers National Australia Bank (NAB) had their bid rejected by regulators. The potential deal follows the failed takeover valued at A$13. 3 billion (US$13.5 billion) for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd by National Australia Bank (NAB) after it was blocked by the Australian competition watchdog, which ended NAB's pursuit. It has now emerged that AMP has entered into fresh talks with AXA to acquire AXA Asia Pacific. It is thought unlikely that AMP will be able to top their 2009 bid of A$12.2 billion (US$12.2 billion), which was comprised of cash-and-shares. A previous move by AMP in 2009 would have seen France's AXA SA takeover AXA Asia Pacific's Asian operations, with the Australia and New Zealand operations left to AMP. Initially, AXA teamed up with AMP, but that approach was rejected; subsequently AXA launched an improved deal with NAB which amounted to A$13.3 billion ($13.5 billion). This bid was finally blocked in September 2010 on the grounds of competition concerns. If the proposed bid is completed, AXA of France will assume direct control of the Asian arm of AXA Asia Pacific and gaining access to the fast-growing Asian region, while AMP will take control of the Australian and New Zealand operations. AXA Asia Pacific Holdings operates in Hong Kong SAR, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, providing life insurance and wealth management services across the region. The potential joint agreement between AXA and AMP for AXA Asia Pacific is in the early stages of discussion, with all parties still seeking to agree basic terms; there is no official confirmation of transactions at this time. However, even though AMP's original bid was trumped by NAB, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission stated that AMP's possible acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific would not have an adverse impact on competition and Australian regulators would be minded to clear a revised bid on this basis. AXA is Europe's second-biggest insurer and has stated that emerging insurance markets remain a prime target for the group in order to boost its position on the global stage; the Asian region, therefore, offers significant potential for the international insurance company. AMP provides banking, loan, insurance, investments and retirement services, and, if successful in acquiring AXA Asia Pacific's New Zealand and Australia operations, will be able to enhance its presence in a mature Australia and New Zealand financial services market; a market which has remained robust since the global financial crises in 2007-2008. If the deal is completed, it will mean the French insurer AXA will strengthen its presence in the Asian region - a move which will see them increase their reach in countries such as China, India and Indonesia; countries which have emerged from the 2007-2008 world financial crisis as leading insurance markets. AXA recently entered into arrangement will ICBC of China, over the joint venture AXA-Minmetals in a move which will specifically reinforce operations in the Chinese insurance market. Companies Mentioned: AXA


