BARCLAYS BANK is trying to position itself as a "white knight" for Dutch banking rival ABN Amro in its attempts to take over the company as shareholder activists are demanding the bank break itself up or merger, suggests this morning's Guardian.
Were such a deal were to go ahead, the combined group would be valued at around £80bn, allowing Barclays to eclipse Royal Bank of Scotland as Britain's second biggest bank. The FSA is expected to force an official announcement on the deal, and any agreement is likely to require a dual listing in London and Amsterdam. LIFE INSURER STANDARD LIFE is predicted to be announcing operating profits of over £500m later this week when it reveals its first full-year results since floating the company, says the Scotsman. Chief executive Sandy Crombie is expected to say, like the rest of the life ins...
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