Royal Bank of Scotland, which is 82% owned by taxpayers after a government bailout, is accused of pushing struggling small firms into its turnaround unit, for it to have reasons to charge higher interests, and in turn, take over their assets.
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Thai govt's collateral-free loan scheme may not combat loan sharks-report
The new collateral-free microfinance program set to be implemented next year by the Finance Ministry of Thailand to fight illegal loan sharks may not gain wide acceptance due to its high interest rate, according to a report on The Nation.
CPA walks away from Dexus takeover bid
Commonwealth Property Office Fund Ltd (CPA) terminated a takeover offer from Dexus Property Group Ltd and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) after the the consortium failed to top a rival bid within the specified time.
Singapore's AIMS purchases half of Sydney's Optus Center
Singapore-listed AIMS AMP Capital Industrial REIT entered the Australian market by buying a 49% stake in Optus Center at Sydney's Macquari Park for over USD184 million.
EU lifts ban on tankers transporting Iranian crude
Following a nuclear deal reached in Geneva, the European Union has removed the ban on insuring tankers transporting Iranian oil. The EU also agreed to release USD4.2 billion in frozen oil assets and permit Iranian crude exports to continue at its current levels.
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British financial institution Lloyds Banking Group Plc will reportedly put up for sale 30% to 50% of its stake in 631 bank branches. The said bank branches are being rebranded as TSB, which is expected to float on the stock market middle of next year.
Canada-based milk processor Saputo Inc raised its acquisition offer for Australia-based Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Co to AUD515 million in a three-way bid contest with dairy firms Bega Cheese Ltd and Murray Goulburn Cooperative Co.
A survey taken by professional services company Ernst & Young has shown that India has toppled China from the top spot as the world's most attractive destination for investments.
Switzerland-based Trafigura Beheer BV had put up for sale its stake in Puma Energy for USD500 million. Trafigura sold a part of its interest in the African unit to Angola's Sonangol Corporation and Cochan Ltd.
China Cinda Asset Management Corp, one of China's four bad loan managers, is seeking up to $2.5 billion in an initial public offering in Hong Kong attracting global investors like Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC and Norway's sovereign wealth fund.
According to sources interviewed by Bloomberg, Cairn India is planning to buy back USD 1 billion worth of shares in order to give Anil Agarwal more control of the company.
Representatives from the German service sector Union Verdi, informed the public that they plan to walk out for at least one day on Monday. It has already organized several short strikes this year in a bid to force Amazon to accept a collective agreement on a dispute over pay and work conditions.
France-based phone firm Orange is nearing an agreement to exit its unit to Luxembourg-based cable and telecommunications investor Altice, according to sources interviewed by Bloomberg.
The British government will announce on Monday it has agreed a deal to sell off a portfolio of student loans worth 900 million pounds, Sky News reported on Sunday, quoting people close to the situation.
