Restructuring and Consolidation

The rapidly changing structure of European banking presents both opportunities and threats. In one of our most high-profile assignments, DIBC advised the Ministry of Finance in Norway on the structure the banking system after the collapse of the major banks. Individual banks and other financial institutions have asked us to advise them on a range of expansion options, including mergers, acquisitions, alliances and entry strategies for new markets. We have also worked on defence strategies for banks vulnerable to takeover.

Representative assignments:

• Identification and assessment of potential cross-border acquisition targets for two of Europe's largest banking groups
• Analysis, for a Canadian client, of competition and customer service in four European countries - Finland, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands - which have particularly highly concentrated banking systems
• Advice for a Nordic bank on options for increasing shareholder value, including an assessment of possible predators and bid targets, and the likely impact of different outcomes on share price, staff and customers
• A report on mutual banking institutions in seven European countries for an Australian client, covering structure, ownership, competition and market share, legislation, supervision and financing
• Advice and identification of potential partners for a French bank seeking cross border expansion opportunities by means of joint ventures and alliance partners
• Identification and initial contact with potential European bank partners for a U.K. bank

Publications:

European bank mergers: raising the stakes
(Salomon Smith Barney)

Strategic alliances: strategic illusion or delusion - European Bank Insight
(Salomon Smith Barney)

Bank Mergers: Lessons for the Future
(Steven I. Davis)

Main Contacts:

Steve Davis
Brenda Jenner