, Japan

MUFG to buy Bank of Ayudhya

Japan’s largest bank to pay US$4.1 billion for 51% ownership.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. said the agreement to acquire a 51% stake in the Bank of Ayudhya is expected to be announced early July. The deal will transform Thailand's fifth-largest commercial bank into an MUFG subsidiary.

Since Thailand bars foreign banks with local branches from providing capital to its banks, MUFG will merge its Bangkok branch with Bank of Ayudhya.

Bank of Ayudhya has a market capitalization of US$6.1 billion. It handles personal loans and credit cards and is strong in transactions with small- and medium-sized businesses.

The takeover will allow MUFG to offer a wide range of financial services to consumers and businesses in Thailand. This will mark the first time a Japanese bank has taken direct control of a major bank in the rest of Asia.

MUFG will first buy out GE Capital's entire 25% stake in the Thai bank. It will then launch a tender off for the remaining shares, but seek to keep the other big shareholder, Thailand's Ratanarak family which holds 22%, as a partner.


 

Join Asian Banking & Finance community
Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Exclusives

Financial crimes to continue to squeeze bank profits
More sophisticated crooks and stricter rules are expected to increase compliance costs.
Private fund tokens may be the future of investing
Kinexys seeks to keep a token’s sensitive financial information from prying eyes.
Asia struggles with G20 payment targets
The ultimate goal is for cross-border payments to achieve “the speed of the internet.”