|
In
an interview with Finnish public broadcaster YLE, Wahlroos
confirmed he had recently discussed a possible merger with
representatives from the Dutch finance ministry and the
Netherlands Financial Investments (NLFI), the state agency that
holds a majority of ABN shares.
"It was a very preliminary contact ... at the moment it looks
like (talks) will not go forward until the Dutch parliamentary
election," Wahlroos said, referring to a March 2017 general
election.
"I believe it is quite clear that due to the elections, there is
not much enthusiasm right now for a larger project in the
government level," he added.
Following local media reports on Nordea's approach earlier this
month, ABN and the Dutch government said they were not looking
for a buyer.
Wahlroos, who is also chairman at financial holding company
Sampo <SAMAS.HE> and paper maker UPM-Kymmene <UPM1V.HE>, said
Nordea was keen to expand its operations after investing more
than one billion euros in information technology infrastructure.
He added that ABN would "fit together well" with Nordea, the
Nordic region's largest bank.
"The Netherlands is a very Scandinavian-type of country in many
ways, open, liberal, market-oriented... (the combined bank)
would be a pretty fine bank."
Wahlroos said he had also suggested to the Dutch that the
combined company's headquarters could move from Sweden to the
Netherlands.
(Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Helen Popper)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
