One of the most complicated operations which have been seen recently in the Spanish financial market has taken another twist. After an unexpected move by Banca March, one of Inversis’ shareholders, Andbank will finally be taking over Inversis’ private retail banking business, instead of Andorra Private Banking, through Banco de Madrid. Meanwhile, Banca March will take over Inversis’ technology platform, but will later sell 50% to the Portuguese group, Orey Antunes. Likewise, Andbank will become a technological client of Inversis.
According to a statement submitted to the CNMV, Banca March has used its rights of first refusal on the sale of Banco Inversis, whose bid had been won by Andorra Private Banking through Banco de Madrid, by offering 212 million Euros on June 28th. Shareholders representing more than 92% of the offer, including Bankia, Sabadell and CajaMar had accepted this offer. Banca March has decided to “exercise its preemptive right of acquisition on the sale of Banco Inversis SA to ensure and maintain the quality of service to its clients and to develop its institutional business, both within Spain and in its international expansion.”
Banca March will pay 217.4 million Euros for Inversis, and will then sell Inversis’ private retail banking business to Andbank for 179.8 million Euros. The difference, which is just under 38 million Euros, will be what Banca March will pay for Inversis’ technology platform. This agreement will become effective “once all necessary corporate transactions have been completed and all authorizations have been received.”
Also, once the segregation of its retail banking business is carried out, Banca March will sell a 50% share of Banco Inversis to the Portuguese Group Orey Antunes, subject to the relevant approvals, “in order to continue to invest jointly in the development of the technology platform and to continue to promote institutional business on a national and international level.” The price of this last sale has not been revealed.
BPA’s reaction is as yet unknown; it had increased its bid on Inversis twice over the past few months to beat Andbank. In any case, the price Andabank will have to pay, which equals BPA’s previous offer, is no bargain, according to industry sources. “Especially considering they will not acquire the technology platform,” the expert concluded.
