RBS nails down its Asian asset sell-off
ROYAL Bank of Scotland was closing in on a sale of its Asian assets yesterday, as it emerged Australian bank ANZ is likely to pay A$1.1bn (£549m) for its operations in six Asian areas.
ANZ said yesterday talks are “progressing well” over an asset purchase, including RBS’ operations in Taiwan.
RBS, which is set to report stellar profits on Friday but is still fighting to raise capital after being part-nationalised in a government bailout, has been in talks with ANZ for several months over a possible deal.
The bank is thought to be keen to announce the sale of all of its Asian retail and commercial banking operations before it reports this week.
Standard Chartered is still thought to be considering a bid for many of RBS’ other Asian assets.