The United Kingdom’s third biggest bank, Barclays, is remaining tight-lipped about any future plans it might have for Absa if it does acquire a controlling stake in the South African bank.
Media fishing for further information on Monday were referred to a statement issued by Barclays on Thursday which stated that the process was at an early stage and was subject, inter alia, to due diligence and securing a satisfactory level of committed acceptances from Absa’s significant shareholders prior to Barclays making any offer.
Among the questions on the lips of many journalists and analysts is what would Barclays do if it does proceed with an offer for South Africa’s largest retail bank and it fails to secure a majority? Other questions include whether Absa is likely to be rebranded and delisted if Barclays succeeds with its bid?
However, the UK bank is keeping its cards close to its chest at this stage of the game.
If it does succeed in securing a satisfactory level of acceptances from Absa stakeholders, the biggest hurdles it is likely to face are approval from the regulators and union approval.
On the latter score, the country’s biggest trade union federation Cosatu is said to be opposed to the move. The federation was not immediately available for comment on Monday morning, but media reports quoted both it and the South African Communist Party — both alliance partners of the ruling African National Congress — as saying they believed Absa should remain locally-owned.
Finance union Sasbo, however, has welcomed the move, saying it would be beneficial for South Africa as well as for development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
What Finance Minister Trevor Manuel’s views on the proposed deal are is anybody’s guess. Asked the question while addressing Wits University business students on Thursday — when news first broke about talks between Barclays and Absa — Manuel intimated that the government’s policy of keeping its four main banks locally-owned and supervised by the South African Reserve Bank still stood, but that the government might consider altering its position.
Barclays says the discussions have not yet “reached a stage which requires a formal approach to the relevant regulators”.
Analysts say the deal would be positive for South Africa. If it occurs, it would be the biggest single injection of foreign direct investment in a post-apartheid South Africa. A stake of just over 50% in Absa would cost Barclays an estimated R20-billion.
Barclays says the transaction would enhance its existing successful African operations and would be “immediately accretive to earnings per share and economic profit”.
Already active in 12 African countries, the UK bank would, through Absa, also gain a foothold in Mozambique and Namibia and also possibly Angola down the line.
Barclays returned to South Africa in 1995, having bowed to anti- apartheid pressure to withdraw from the country in the late 1980s. – I-Net Bridge