Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Filed by Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A.
This communication is filed pursuant to Rule 425 under The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Subject Company: ABN AMRO Holding N.V.
Commission File Number: 001-12518
Date: May 29, 2007
On May 29, 2007, Fortis, Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander issued the following press release:
Fortis, RBS and Santander
Proposed Offer for ABN AMRO of 38.40 per ABN
AMRO Share1
PRESS RELEASE
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED OFFER
(Details of each Banks plans are also set out in separate
announcements accompanying this document)
29 May 2007
Superior value for ABN AMRO shareholders
Significant benefits for customers and employees
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1 |
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Proposed Offer for all outstanding ABN AMRO
Shares comprising 30.40 in cash plus 0.844 New RBS Shares, including 1.00 in
cash to be retained by the Banks pending resolution of the LaSalle Situation,
based on the price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of business on 25 May
2007 |
29 May 2007 Fortis, RBS and Santander (collectively, the Banks) Offer Superior Value for
ABN AMRO Shareholders, Significant Benefits for Customers and Employees
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PROPOSED OFFER VALUES ABN AMRO AT 38.40 PER ABN AMRO SHARE |
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TOTAL VALUE OF 71.1 BILLION, WITH 79% OF CONSIDERATION IN
CASH1 |
1. |
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Transaction expected to lead to substantial value creation |
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ABN AMRO contains good businesses widely spread across a range of attractive markets,
but seeks combination with partner |
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Combined businesses expected to have enhanced market presence and growth prospects with
the Banks as partners |
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Greater and more certain transaction benefits than with a single partner |
2. |
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Banks confirm the terms of their proposed Offer |
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30.40 in cash plus 0.844 New RBS Shares for each ABN AMRO Share2 |
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Valued at 38.40 per ABN AMRO Share, a 13.7% premium to the value of Barclays
proposed offer3 |
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Total value of 71.1 billion; 8.6 billion higher than Barclays proposed
offer4 |
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Approximately 79% of the consideration in cash, providing greater certainty of value
than Barclays proposed offer |
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Proposed Offer not subject to any financing condition, with capital raisings fully
underwritten |
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Proposed Offer conditional, inter alia, on result of ABN AMRO shareholder vote on sale
of LaSalle |
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Consideration includes 1.00 in cash to be retained by the Banks pending resolution
of the LaSalle Situation |
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1 |
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Based on undiluted number of shares, as set
out in Appendix IV, and on the price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of
business on 25 May 2007 |
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2 |
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Including 1.00 in cash to be retained by the
Banks pending resolution of the LaSalle Situation |
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3 |
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Based on the price of Barclays ordinary
shares of 712.5p at the close of business on 24 April 2007, the day before the
Banks first announced details of their proposals including a price indication,
and on the price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of business on 25 May
2007 |
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4 |
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Based on undiluted number of shares, as set
out in Appendix IV, and on the price of Barclays ordinary shares of 712.5p at
the close of business on 24 April 2007, the day before the Banks first
announced details of their proposals including a price indication, and on the
price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of business on 25 May 2007 |
- 2 -
3. |
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Orderly business reorganisation expected to result in stronger businesses |
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Fortis (33.8% of consideration, 24.0 billion)1: Will create a market
leader in Benelux, while capitalising on the ABN AMRO brand, and extend the international
growth potential in Fortis wealth and asset management platforms |
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RBS (38.3% of consideration, 27.2 billion)1: Will create a strengthened
platform for growth outside the UK, leading corporate and institutional bank globally,
leading retail and commercial bank in the US and accelerated opportunities in Asia |
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Santander (27.9% of consideration, 19.9 billion)1: Will create a top 3
bank in Brazil and establish retail presence in the Italian market |
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RBS will lead the reorganisation, with shared assets being managed for value |
4. |
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Expected benefits for customers and employees |
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Customers will gain from enhanced presence, product strengths and distribution
capabilities, and increased scale and efficiency |
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Consortium plan creates sustainable platforms for increased long-term job creation and
enhanced opportunities for employees |
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No plans for significant offshoring of jobs |
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Fewer employees expected to lose their jobs than with Barclays proposals |
5. |
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Banks expected to generate substantial transaction benefits |
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Aggregate estimated cost savings of 4.23 billion by the end of 2010 |
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Aggregate estimated profit enhancements from revenue benefits of 1.22 billion by
the end of 2010 |
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Benefits well balanced across activities and geographic regions |
6. |
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Banks extensive experience and proven track records reduce integration risk |
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Extensive knowledge of markets in which ABN AMRO has major businesses |
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Strong track records in large scale integration |
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Projected synergies based on achievable objectives |
7. |
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Value and EPS enhancing for the Banks2 |
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Fortis: expected to be 4.3% cash EPS enhancing by the end of 2010, expected return on
investment on a cash basis of 11.2% in 2010 |
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RBS: expected to be 7.3% adjusted EPS enhancing by the end of 2010, expected return on
investment of 13.5% in 2010 |
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Santander: expected to be 5.3% EPS enhancing by the end of 2010, expected return on
investment of 12.7% in 2010 |
Superior value for ABN AMRO shareholders
Significant benefits for customers and employees
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1 |
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Share of consideration including share of
consideration for shared assets, as set out in Section 2, and based on
undiluted number of shares, as set out in Appendix IV |
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2 |
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Further details are set out in Section 7 |
- 3 -
Enquiries
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FORTIS |
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Jean-Paul Votron, Chief Executive Officer
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Gilbert Mittler, Chief Financial Officer
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Press: Wilfried Remans
Investor Relations: Robert ter Weijden
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(Brussels) +32 2 565 35
84 (Utrecht) +31 30 226 32
19 (Brussels) +32 2 565 53 78 (Utrecht) +31 30 226 32 20 |
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RBS |
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Sir Fred Goodwin, Group Chief Executive |
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Guy Whittaker, Group Finance Director |
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Press: Andrew McLaughlin
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+44 131 523 2205 |
Investor Relations: Richard OConnor
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+44 207 672 1758 |
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SANTANDER |
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Alfredo Sáenz, Chief Executive Officer |
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José Antonio Alvarez, Chief Financial Officer |
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Press: Peter Greiff / Angela Roche
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+34 91 289 5211 |
Investor Relations: Angel Santodomingo
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+34 91 259 6514 |
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Financial Adviser to the Banks and Underwriter |
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MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
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+44 20 7628 1000 |
Matthew Greenburgh |
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Andrea Orcel |
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Henrietta Baldock |
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Richard Slimmon |
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- 4 -
Contents
Overview of the Banks Proposed Offer for ABN AMRO
Appendix I: Other Proposed Offer Details
Appendix II: Pre-conditions to the Proposed Offer
Appendix III: Proposed Offer Conditions
Appendix IV: Sources and Bases
Appendix V: Definitions
Please also refer to the separate announcements issued by the Banks today.
- 5 -
FORTIS, RBS AND SANTANDER PROPOSED OFFER FOR
ABN AMRO
1. Transaction expected to lead to substantial value creation
ABN AMRO, the Banks believe, contains good businesses and customer franchises widely spread across
a range of attractive markets. However, ABN AMRO has acknowledged the opportunity for it to deliver
benefits for its customers and employees and generate growth and additional value for its
shareholders by combining with a partner and selling parts of the ABN AMRO Group.
Because of the Banks comprehensive strategic fit with ABN AMRO across its activities, the Banks
expect that, following their acquisition of ABN AMRO, they will be able to create stronger
businesses with enhanced market presence and growth prospects, leading to substantial value
creation and benefits for shareholders, customers and employees.
The Banks have the financial and management resources to invest in and grow ABN AMROs businesses
and have proven records of growing their own businesses. Implementation of the Banks respective
measures to realise projected synergies is expected to enhance profitability and allow the Banks to
invest further in customer-facing areas, as they have done in their own businesses. The Banks
together expect to deliver benefits for ABN AMRO stakeholders which they believe no single buyer of
ABN AMRO could match.
The Banks believe that, because of their collective presence in and understanding of the broad
range of markets in which ABN AMRO operates, and because of their proven track records of
successful acquisitions and delivery of promised results, their acquisition of ABN AMRO will have
lower integration risk than its acquisition by a single buyer.
2. Banks confirm the terms of their proposed Offer
The Banks confirm today the terms of their proposed Offer for ABN AMRO. The Banks are convinced
that the proposed Offer provides the best outcome for shareholders, employees and other
stakeholders of ABN AMRO and would prefer to secure a recommendation by the Boards of ABN AMRO.
The Banks would therefore still welcome the opportunity of agreeing with ABN AMRO and Bank of
America a way forward that meets the interests of shareholders, employees and other stakeholders of
all parties.
- 6 -
The Banks intend to offer, through their acquisition vehicle RFS Holdings, for each ABN AMRO Share
(subject to the pre-conditions set out in Appendix II):
38.40 per ABN AMRO Share, 13.7% above the value of Barclays proposed offer1
Comprising 30.40 in cash plus 0.844 New RBS Shares
Of the proposed Offer amount, 1.00 in cash will be deferred pending resolution of the LaSalle
Situation. Further details of this Contingent Consideration are set out in Section 8 below.
Approximately 79% of the proposed Offer consideration will be payable in cash.
The pre-conditions to the proposed Offer include that the Dutch Supreme Court upholds the
preliminary ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber that the consummation of the Bank of America
Agreement must be approved by ABN AMRO shareholders by the requisite vote at the ABN AMRO EGM. In
these circumstances, the proposed Offer will then be conditional upon ABN AMRO shareholders having
failed to approve the Bank of America Agreement at that meeting. This is further discussed in
Section 8 below. The pre-conditions to the proposed Offer are set out in Appendix II.
The Banks proposed Offer will not be subject to any financing condition or to the disposal of any
businesses by any Bank including the ABN AMRO businesses being acquired. On the basis of and
subject to the terms and conditions of agreements entered into with each of the Banks, Merrill
Lynch, together with certain other major international financial institutions, has undertaken to
underwrite the following issues of securities by each of the Banks.
Fortis intends to raise 15 billion of new equity financing via a rights issue and up to 5
billion of new Tier 1 capital, and to release up to 8 billion of capital.2 Under the
terms of the proposed Offer, RBS would issue New RBS Shares with an aggregate value of
approximately 15 billion to ABN AMRO shareholders. RBS also intends to raise approximately
6 billion of new non-dilutive Tier 1 capital and to finance the remainder of its share of the
consideration through internal resources. Santander intends to raise approximately 9.5-10
billion of new equity financing via a rights issue and mandatorily convertible instruments,
amounting to approximately half of its share of the consideration, and to finance the remainder
through balance sheet optimisation, including leverage, incremental securitisation and asset
disposals.
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1 |
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Based on the price of Barclays ordinary shares of 712.5p at the close of business on 24 April 2007, the day before the Banks first announced details of their proposals including a price indication, and on the price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of business on 25 May 2007 |
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2 |
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Including sale of non-core assets, securitisation and other similar transactions |
- 7 -
Further information about the proposed Offer, including the terms and conditions to which it is
subject, can be found in the Appendices to this announcement. In particular, a summary of the
financing for the proposed Offer can be found in Appendix I and further information is included in
the separate announcements issued by the Banks today. Further details of the New RBS Shares and the
treatment of ABN AMROs Convertible Financing Preference Shares, Formerly Convertible Preference
Shares and Options can also be found in Appendix I.
3. Orderly business reorganisation resulting in stronger businesses
The Banks have entered into an agreement which relates to the proposed Offer for ABN AMRO, their
shareholdings in RFS Holdings and the planned reorganisation of ABN AMRO.
RBS will lead the Banks orderly reorganisation of ABN AMRO and assume the lead responsibility for
ensuring that ABN AMRO is managed in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements from
completion of the proposed Offer.
Objective of reorganisation
The objective of the orderly reorganisation following completion of the proposed Offer will be to
result in the following ownership:
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Fortis: Business Unit Netherlands (excluding former Dutch
wholesale clients, Interbank and DMC Consumer Finance), Business
Unit Private Clients globally, Business Unit Asset Management
globally |
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RBS: Business Unit North America including LaSalle, Business Unit
Global Clients and wholesale clients in the Netherlands (including
former Dutch wholesale clients) and Latin America (excluding
Brazil), Business Unit Asia (excluding Saudi Hollandi) and
Business Unit Europe (excluding Antonveneta) |
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Santander: Business Unit Latin America (excluding wholesale
clients outside Brazil), Antonveneta, Interbank and DMC Consumer
Finance |
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Shared Assets: Head Office and central functions, private equity
portfolio, stakes in Capitalia and Saudi Hollandi, and Prime Bank |
- 8 -
Consideration to be paid and estimated profit
The following table sets out the share of the consideration to be provided by each Bank and the
estimated 2006 profit before tax attributable to the businesses being acquired.
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Share of |
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Consideration* |
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consideration |
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Profit before tax** |
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Fortis |
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24.0 |
bn |
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33.8 |
% |
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1.68 |
bn |
RBS |
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27.2 |
bn |
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38.3 |
% |
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1.72 |
bn |
Santander |
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19.9 |
bn |
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27.9 |
% |
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1.55 |
bn |
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Total |
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71.1 |
bn |
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100.0 |
% |
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4.95 |
bn |
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* |
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Based on undiluted number of shares, as set out in Appendix IV. |
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** |
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Excludes 0.05 billion of profit before tax relating to central functions and shared
assets. These estimates are based on the 2006 Annual Report & Accounts of ABN AMRO
adjusted for certain restructuring costs and other one-off or non-recurring items and on
the estimates of the Banks. As the reorganisation of the ABN AMRO Group as set out above
does not correspond precisely to the Business Unit definitions in ABN AMROs 2006 Annual
Report & Accounts, these estimates are not audited and may not be accurate. Any
inaccuracies may, in limited circumstances, following completion of the proposed Offer, be
addressed in accordance with the terms of the arrangements between the Banks, but will not
affect the terms of the proposed Offer. Further details on the calculation of these
figures are set out in Appendix IV. |
Management and reorganisation
Immediately upon completion of the proposed Offer, ABN AMRO will become a subsidiary undertaking of
RBS, owned jointly by the Banks through RFS Holdings. Immediately following completion, the
structure and operation of ABN AMRO will remain unchanged. A limited number of senior appointments
will be made by the Banks to the Managing Board and the Group Business Committee. The Banks
immediate priority will be to ensure that the organisation continues to provide high quality
service to its customers and to meet all regulatory requirements.
During the first 45 days after completion of the proposed Offer, the Banks will work with the
management of ABN AMRO to verify and expand the information received from, and assumptions made on
the basis of, the limited due diligence access granted before completion. Within 45 days of
completion of the proposed Offer, the Banks intend to have validated a base-lined plan for the
achievement of synergies and for the separation and transfer of the ABN AMRO businesses to the
respective Banks. This plan will form the basis for continued consultation with employee bodies and
regulators with whom there have already been extensive discussions as part of an ongoing process.
Implementation of the plan will begin only when the necessary approvals have been received.
The Banks intend that, as an interim step towards the separation of the ABN AMRO businesses, ABN
AMRO will be reorganised into three units containing the businesses that will ultimately be transferred to the respective Banks. A fourth unit will
contain shared assets regarded as non-strategic.
- 9 -
Thereafter, as soon as reasonably practicable, certain businesses which can readily be separated
will be legally transferred to the respective Banks. Fortis and RBS will work together to separate
the Netherlands retail and commercial banking operations from the global wholesale banking
operations. The former will be transferred to Fortis while the latter will be owned by RBS. The
separation and transfer of businesses will be subject to regulatory approval and appropriate
consultation processes with employees, employee representatives and other stakeholders.
IT systems will in general be separated and transferred with the businesses they support. However,
the Banks will take advantage of opportunities to create greater economic value by sharing
platforms.
During the reorganisation, the Banks will retain a shared economic interest in all central
functions (including Head Office functions) that provide support to ABN AMRO Group businesses. The
Banks will also retain shared economic interests in certain assets and liabilities of ABN AMRO
which the Banks regard as non-strategic. These include ABN AMROs private equity portfolio, its
stakes in Capitalia and Saudi Hollandi, and Prime Bank. These are expected to be disposed of over a
period of time with a view to maximising value.
The Banks believe that the structure they intend to implement following completion of the proposed
Offer will strengthen the ABN AMRO businesses and not expose them, their capital or their customers
to any additional risk.
The Banks believe that holders of ABN AMROs debt securities will, in general, benefit from the
expected positive impact of the transaction on ABN AMROs credit profile.
At the outset, the entire portfolio of ABN AMRO derivative transactions will be managed to ensure
that all the derivative risk management needs of the component ABN AMRO businesses are satisfied.
In time, there will be an orderly migration of transactions to the appropriate trading entities in
line with normal novation or assignment processes. RBS, through its integration of NatWest, has
demonstrated its ability to successfully manage these processes.
Outcome of reorganisation
The reorganisation will allow each Bank to enhance the ABN AMRO businesses that it acquires and
achieve significantly strengthened positions in its markets, leading to greater opportunities for
growth in those markets. In summary:
- 10 -
Fortis:
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Creation of a top European financial institution with: |
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More than 80,000 employees worldwide |
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Total banking and insurance net profit of more than 5.5 billion (among the top
five in the Eurozone) |
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2,500 retail branches and 145 business centres across Europe |
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Unique opportunity to strengthen Benelux core competencies: |
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Creates a market leader, with more than 10 million customers in the Benelux region
alone |
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Benelux #1 in retail and commercial banking |
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Superior customer reach and skills in commercial banking, such as leasing and
factoring |
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Capitalising on both ABN AMROs and Fortis brands in the Netherlands |
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Extension of international wealth management growth engine: |
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3rd largest European private bank with more than 200 billion AUM |
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One integrated network and a large European and Asian footprint |
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A dedicated, broad and differentiated service offering for high net worth and ultra
high net worth clients |
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Expansion of asset management growth platform: |
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Top tier European asset manager with more than 300 billion AUM globally |
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Benefiting from a larger geographic footprint and enhanced offering to third-party
distributors |
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The combined product range expected to reach top quartile position across many asset
classes and achieve scale in core growth products |
RBS:
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Strengthens RBSs platform for growth outside UK |
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Accelerates RBSs existing plans for growth in US and Asia |
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RBS Global Banking & Markets and ABN AMRO Global Wholesale Businesses: |
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Leading corporate and institutional banking and markets business,
with global reach and capability |
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Well diversified by customer, product and geography |
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Complementary product strengths and customer franchises |
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Top 5 across broad range of corporate banking products |
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Benefits from cash management and trade finance platform |
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#1 in UK and Europe, #5 in US and Asia (excluding Japan), by client numbers |
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Complementary retail and commercial businesses |
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Enhanced distribution of Global Banking & Markets products in US |
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Excellent geographic fit in large and attractive market |
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RBS America 5th largest banking business in US by assets |
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RBS and ABN AMRO International Retail Businesses in Asia and Middle East: |
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Enhanced and extended opportunities for growth, particularly in credit cards and
affluent banking |
- 11 -
Santander:
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Creates a top 3 bank by network and loans, benefiting from enhanced economies of
scale |
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High geographical and product complementarity between both franchises (Banco Real and
Santander Banespa) |
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High degree of value creation through in-market synergies |
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Low integration risk; Santander Banespas fully scaleable IT system is prepared for
the migration of Banco Real |
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Antonveneta is a strong franchise in an attractive market |
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Efficiency improvements from the migration to Partenon, Santanders proprietary IT
system |
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Potential to improve commercial performance (e.g. mortgage lending, consumer finance,
retail mutual funds) |
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Good platform from which to grow organically |
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Interbank and DMC (consumer finance in the Netherlands): |
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Full integration into Santander Consumer Finance, which is already present in 14
European countries including the Netherlands |
4. Expected benefits for customers and employees
The Banks expect that the stronger businesses created by combining ABN AMROs businesses with their
own complementary operations will generate benefits for customers. The enhanced presence, product
strengths and distribution capabilities of these strengthened businesses are expected to deliver
benefits to customers, who will also gain from the increased scale and efficiency of the businesses
that serve them. The business reorganisation will be handled in an orderly fashion designed to
ensure continuity of customer service. A key principle of the implementation plan agreed among the
Banks is that there should be minimal disruption to customer-facing activities.
The Banks believe that the stronger businesses resulting from the transaction will also create
sustainable platforms for increased job creation and enhanced opportunities for employees. The
Banks track records in this regard are excellent, demonstrating organic growth in employment built
on strong business foundations.
The realisation of the expected transaction benefits will entail some initial reduction in staff,
not all of which will be in ABN AMRO. The Banks have no plans, however, to increase the number of
off-shored jobs significantly. As a result, the Banks expect that fewer employees will be affected
than under the Barclays proposal.
The Banks intend to retain the best talent through a fair appointment process based on merit and
competencies. The Banks are committed to continue working with works councils, trade unions and
other representative bodies to agree the most constructive approach. Existing Social Plans and
Collective Labour Agreements will be honoured.
- 12 -
The Banks also intend to create significant numbers of new positions in the Netherlands, through
investment in a number of significant businesses. Within the Netherlands and other appropriate
territories, an employment office will be created to identify redeployment opportunities for staff
across the operations of the Banks. The Banks firm intention is that any job losses in the
Netherlands will be accommodated through natural turnover, redeployment and voluntary redundancy.
5. Banks expected to generate substantial transaction benefits
The Banks believe that the inclusion within their groups of ABN AMROs businesses will create
substantial value for shareholders through cost savings and revenue benefits.
In 2006, ABN AMROs cost:income ratio was 69.6%, compared to 61.2% for Fortis Bank, 42.1% for RBS
and 48.5% for Santander. The Banks believe that the combinations of complementary and overlapping
businesses will enable substantial de-duplication cost savings.
In aggregate, it is expected that cost savings will reach approximately 4.23 billion by the end
of 2010. The cost savings expected to be achieved by each Bank and the anticipated integration
costs are as follows:
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Cost savings per annum |
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Integration costs |
|
Fortis |
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1.15 |
bn |
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1.54 |
bn |
RBS |
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2.01 |
bn |
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3.84 |
bn |
Santander |
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0.86 |
bn |
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1.00 |
bn |
Shared Assets |
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0.21 |
bn |
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0.43 |
bn |
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Total |
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4.23 |
bn |
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6.81 |
bn |
Whilst the clear cost-saving opportunities underpin the potential value creation, the Banks also
believe that there are considerable opportunities for them to create sustainable increases in
profitable revenue growth.
The Banks believe that limited scale and resources, combined with a lack of focus, have made it
difficult for ABN AMRO to take advantage of the many growth opportunities across its broad range of
attractive but widely-spread franchises, products and geographies. The combination of complementary
businesses and capabilities will create additional opportunities for growth which are not available
to ABN AMRO alone, or to any single buyer. The Banks have the resources to capitalise on these
opportunities for growth.
- 13 -
It is estimated that the aggregate revenue benefits identified by the Banks, net of associated
costs and bad debts, before tax, will be approximately 1.22 billion by the end of 2010, split
as follows:
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Profit from revenue |
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|
|
benefits per annum |
|
Fortis |
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0.19 |
bn |
RBS |
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0.85 |
bn |
Santander |
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0.18 |
bn |
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Total |
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1.22 |
bn |
The details of the anticipated cost savings and revenue benefits as they apply to each of the
businesses to be acquired by the Banks are set out in each Banks separate announcement.
The figures set out above are preliminary and are based on assumptions the Banks believe to be
conservative.
6. Banks extensive experience and proven track records reduce integration risk
The Banks, collectively, have extensive experience in, and understanding of, ABN AMROs major
businesses and geographies. By concentrating on their respective areas of expertise and by dividing
the integration tasks among themselves, the Banks expect to reduce significantly overall
integration risk relative to a single buyer with limited experience across ABN AMROs activities
and a limited track record in large scale integrations.
Each of the Banks has a strong track record of successful integrations of acquired businesses,
including delivery of promised transaction benefits. Benefits promised and delivered in the Banks
previous largest transactions are set out below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction |
|
|
Total promised |
|
|
Total delivered |
|
Fortis |
|
Generale Bank |
|
|
675m |
|
|
|
861m (+28 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RBS |
|
NatWest |
|
£ |
1,420m |
|
|
£ |
2,030m (+43 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Santander |
|
Abbey National |
|
|
300m |
* |
|
|
425m (+42 |
%) |
|
|
|
* |
|
Promised by end of second year after completion of the transaction |
In the acquisition of ABN AMRO by the Banks, the Banks believe their projected synergies are
based on achievable objectives. Most of the estimated transaction benefits are expected to result
from cost savings which are based on conservative estimates that are in line with past
achievements. The Banks expect that a substantial proportion of the cost savings estimated by the
Banks will result from de-duplication of overlapping activities. They
are not dependent on aspirations to achieve top quartile cost:income ratios or on a substantial
off-shoring of functions.
- 14 -
7. Value and EPS enhancing for the Banks
Fortis
Allowing for the acquisition of the relevant ABN AMRO businesses, Fortis Banks Tier 1 capital
ratio is expected to be close to 6.7% immediately after the transaction.
Based on Fortis forecasts for business growth and transaction benefits, the acquisition is
expected to lead to 4.3%1 accretion in cash earnings per share in 2010 and to produce a
return on investment on a cash basis of 11.2%2 in 2010.
RBS
Allowing for the acquisition of the relevant ABN AMRO businesses, RBSs Tier 1 capital ratio is
expected to be approximately 7.2%3 at the end of 2007.
Based on RBSs forecasts for business growth and transaction benefits, the acquisition is expected
to lead to 7.3%4 accretion in adjusted earnings per share in 2010 and to produce a
return on investment of 13.5%2 in 2010.
Santander
Allowing for the acquisition of the relevant ABN AMRO businesses, Santanders Tier 1 capital ratio
is expected to be in excess of 7% at the end of 2007, assuming that there is a full consolidation
of acquired businesses by end 2007.
Based on Santanders forecasts for business growth and transaction benefits, the acquisition is
expected to lead to 5.3% accretion in earnings per share in 2010 and to produce a return on
investment of 12.7%5 in 2010.
8. LaSalle
The pre-conditions to the proposed Offer include that the Dutch Supreme Court upholds the
preliminary ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber to the effect that the consummation of the Bank
of America Agreement must be approved by ABN AMRO shareholders by the requisite vote at the ABN
AMRO EGM. In these circumstances, the proposed Offer will then be conditional upon ABN AMRO shareholders having failed to approve the Bank of America Agreement at
that meeting.
|
|
|
1 |
|
Adjusted for purchased intangibles
amortisation |
|
2 |
|
Return on investment defined as profit after
tax plus post-tax transaction benefits over consideration plus post-tax
integration costs. Adjusted for purchased intangibles amortisation |
|
3 |
|
On a pro forma proportional consolidated
basis Tier 1 ratio is 7.1% |
|
4 |
|
Adjusted for purchased intangibles
amortisation and integration costs |
|
5 |
|
Expected 2010 earnings (including synergies)
divided by consideration for ABN AMRO businesses plus NPV of amortisation of
Antonveneta acquired intangibles |
- 15 -
Given that the Banks cannot be sure of the timing of the Dutch Supreme Court ruling or of the ABN
AMRO EGM (for example, the ABN AMRO EGM could be held before the Dutch Supreme Court has made its
ruling), the ABN AMRO EGM vote is also a pre-condition to the proposed Offer. The Banks also
reserve the right to make their proposed Offer conditional on the Dutch Supreme Court upholding the
preliminary ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber if the Banks wish to make the proposed Offer and
post Offer documentation to ABN AMRO shareholders before the Dutch Supreme Court has issued its
decision.
The pre-conditions and conditions to the proposed Offer are set out in Appendices II and III
respectively.
The Banks have held amicable discussions with Bank of America. These have not resulted in
agreement. The Banks would still welcome the opportunity of agreeing with ABN AMRO and Bank of
America a way forward that meets the interests of shareholders, employees and other stakeholders of
all parties.
However, in light of the uncertainty surrounding the LaSalle Situation, payment of 1.00 of the
cash consideration offered in respect of each ABN AMRO Share will be deferred (the Contingent
Consideration).
From the Contingent Consideration will be deducted 95% of all costs (including damages) incurred by
the Banks, ABN AMRO, or any of their respective affiliates associated with or resulting from
settling, paying damages relating to, or insuring against, the LaSalle Situation, or otherwise in
connection with any agreement with Bank of America. The Contingent Consideration, less such
deductions, plus (from completion of the proposed Offer and subject to any required regulatory
approval) interest on the balance less deductions, will be paid following a final and binding
settlement of, or a final non-appealable court judgement in relation to, the LaSalle Situation, or
following the outstanding issues with Bank of America being resolved. The Contingent Consideration
will be paid in cash to ABN AMRO shareholders whose shares are exchanged in the proposed Offer.
However, if the total of such deductions is greater than or equal to the Contingent Consideration,
no Contingent Consideration will be paid, and any costs exceeding the Contingent Consideration will
be borne by the Banks.
If the LaSalle Situation is still outstanding following completion of the proposed Offer, and
depending on the Banks assessment of the situation at the time, the Banks reserve the right to
continue with the sale of LaSalle to Bank of America on the terms of the Bank of America Agreement.
In this unlikely situation, the Contingent Consideration would not be paid to ABN AMRO
shareholders.
Further details of the Contingent Consideration will be set out in the Offer documentation.
- 16 -
In light of the protections set out above, the Banks acknowledge that litigation and material
adverse change conditions to the proposed Offer cannot be invoked in respect of the LaSalle
Situation.
If the Dutch Supreme Court, or any final court decision, fails to uphold, or otherwise reach the
same conclusion as, the preliminary ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber that the consummation of
the Bank of America Agreement requires ABN AMRO shareholder approval or if ABN AMRO shareholders
approve the Bank of America Agreement at the ABN AMRO EGM, the Banks proposed Offer will not
proceed (unless these conditions or pre-conditions are waived). However, the Banks reserve the
right to make a new offer for ABN AMRO (excluding LaSalle) in these circumstances. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no decision has been made in this regard and there can be no certainty that any new
offer would be made at all or, if made, there can be no certainty as to the financial and other
terms and conditions of such offer.
9. Regulatory process
RBS will take the lead responsibility for ensuring that ABN AMRO is managed in compliance with
applicable regulatory requirements. Fortis and Santander will support RBS with relevant specialist
expertise whenever appropriate.
The stability of the financial system is of paramount concern to each of the Banks and they have
the utmost confidence that the system will be strengthened as a result of the proposed transaction.
On completion of the proposed Offer, ABN AMRO will initially remain structurally unchanged. A
limited number of senior appointments are to be made as soon as practicable by the Banks to the
Managing Board and the Group Business Committee.
During the first 45 days after completion of the proposed Offer, the Banks will work with the
management of ABN AMRO to verify and expand the information received from and assumptions made on
the basis of the limited due diligence access granted before completion. Within 45 days of
completion of the proposed Offer, the Banks intend to have validated a base-lined plan for the
achievement of synergies and for the separation and transfer of the ABN AMRO businesses to the
respective Banks. This plan will form the basis for consultation with employee bodies and
regulators. Implementation of the plan will begin only when the necessary approvals have been
received.
The Banks firmly believe that they can satisfy the requirements of the regulators, as they have
been able to do in all of their previous acquisitions.
DNB, the FSA, the BFIC, the Bank of Spain, the AFM, Euronext Amsterdam and the Social-Economic
Council (Sociaal-Economische Raad) have been informed of the Banks proposals.
- 17 -
The Banks will seek to obtain all necessary regulatory and competition approvals and clearances and
will undertake all requisite employee consultation and information processes as soon as
practicable. Accordingly, clearance for the proposed Offer will be sought from the Dutch Ministry
of Finance and relevant central banks.
The Banks have discussed the proposed transaction with regulatory authorities in their respective
home markets including Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. In addition, the Banks have
identified change of control notifications or approvals in a number of jurisdictions.
10. Process and next steps
Offer documentation to ABN AMRO shareholders will be published as soon as practicable following the
satisfaction or waiver of the pre-conditions to the proposed Offer set out in Appendix II.
When made, completion of the proposed Offer will be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain proposed Offer conditions customary for transactions of this type and certain other
proposed Offer conditions including those summarised in Appendix III.
If the proposed Offer is declared unconditional and completed, depending on the number of ABN AMRO
Shares tendered and purchased in the proposed Offer, the Banks intend to acquire the ABN AMRO
Shares they do not own after completion of the proposed Offer, either by initiating the squeeze-out
procedures permitted by applicable law, effecting a legal merger or in any other manner permitted
by law. In addition, it is intended that ABN AMROs listings of ordinary shares and Formerly
Convertible Preference Shares on Eurolist by Euronext Amsterdam N.V., and of the ABN AMRO ADSs on
the NYSE, will be terminated. Finally, provided the relevant conditions are satisfied, the Banks
will procure that ABN AMRO deregisters and terminates its reporting and other obligations under the
US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Next Steps
It is currently expected that amongst others the following will be achieved during July / August of
2007 (reviewing authority in brackets):
|
|
Publication and filing of the Offer document (including AFM and SEC) |
|
|
Filing of the US registration statement for the issuance of the New RBS Shares pursuant to the Offer (SEC) |
|
|
Publication of the prospectus by RBS for the issue of New RBS Shares (FSA) |
|
|
Publication of prospectuses by Fortis and Santander in connection with their respective planned equity issuances (CBFA,
AFM and Banco de España, respectively) |
- 18 -
|
|
Publication of shareholder circulars by RBS and Fortis in connection with shareholder approval of the transaction and
for Fortis also to approve the equity issue (FSA, CBFA and AFM, respectively) |
|
|
Equity fundraisings by Fortis and Santander |
It is currently expected that Extraordinary General Meetings of shareholders of the Banks in
connection with the transaction will be held in July / August of 2007. In addition there will be
one or more Extraordinary General Meetings of ABN AMRO shareholders in connection with the
transaction.
The Banks are working towards and currently expect commencement of the Offer on or before 13 August
2007, subject to satisfaction of the pre-conditions to the proposed Offer.1 It is
currently expected that completion of the Offer will be achieved in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The Banks will make a further statement in or before the week of 2 July 2007 providing a further
timetable for the proposed Offer.
The order and timing of the events above are illustrative only and may be subject to change.
|
|
|
1 |
|
Consequently, an extension of the 6 weeks
period referred to in article 9g (3) of the Decree, which would otherwise end
on 10 July 2007, is required. The AFM has agreed to grant the Banks such an
extension. The period of the extension shall be set by the AFM after
consultation with the Banks in the week of 2 July 2007 taking into account the
relevant circumstances then prevailing in respect of the proposed Offer
including the progress made with the approval processes of the Offer
documentation (as specified above). The extension granted will be disclosed by
the Banks in an announcement on the date of the extension in the week of 2 July
2007. |
- 19 -
Investor and Analyst Information
PRESENTATION TO ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS
A meeting for analysts and institutional investors will be hosted by Jean-Paul Votron, Fortis Chief
Executive, Sir Fred Goodwin, RBS Group Chief Executive and Alfredo Sáenz, Santander Chief
Executive.
|
|
Venue: 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4RB |
|
|
|
Date & Time: 29 May 2007 8.30am 10.15am (BST) (9.30am
11.15am (CET)) for a prompt start. Registration will
commence at 8.00am |
Please note, as seating is limited, it may be necessary to restrict the number of attendees from
each institution.
|
|
Slide presentation packs will be available on the Banks websites shortly |
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you can listen through any of the following
options:
|
|
A live webcast of the event available on: |
|
|
|
www.emincote.com/consortium001/default.asp |
|
|
|
|
Details will also be available on the Banks websites |
|
|
|
www.rbs.com |
|
|
|
|
www.fortis.com |
|
|
|
|
www.santander.com |
|
|
A live conference call by dialling: |
|
|
|
UK Toll: +44 207 138 0811 |
|
|
|
|
UK Toll free: 0800 028 7847 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll: +1 718 354 1193 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll free: 1888 893 9532 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll: +34 914 533 434 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll free: 800 099 465 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll: +31 20 713 2789 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll free: 0800 026 0068 |
|
|
There will be a replay facility on the investor presentation. This can be accessed by
dialling: |
|
|
|
UK Toll: +44 207 806 1970 |
|
|
|
|
UK Toll free: 0800 559 3271 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll: +1 718 354 1112 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll free: 1 866 883 4489 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll: +34 917 889 869 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll: +31 20 713 2791 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll free: 0800 027 0028 |
|
|
|
|
Passcode for replay: |
|
|
|
English: 4945328# |
|
|
|
|
Spanish: 3089460# |
The webcast provides an opportunity to listen remotely to the live presentation. You may join in
the Q&A presentation by using the live conference call.
-20-
Press Information
PRESS CONFERENCE
The Banks will hold a press conference for members of the media in London.
The press conference will be hosted by Jean-Paul Votron, Fortis Chief Executive, Sir Fred Goodwin,
RBS Group Chief Executive and Alfredo Sáenz, Santander Chief Executive.
The details of the press conference are as follows:
|
|
London Venue: 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4RB |
|
|
|
Date & Time: 29 May 2007 2.00pm 3.00pm (BST) (3.00pm 4.00pm (CET)) |
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you can listen through any of the following
options:
|
|
A live webcast of the event available on: |
|
|
|
www.emincote.com/consortium001/default.asp |
|
|
|
|
Details will also be available on the Banks websites |
|
|
|
www.rbs.com |
|
|
|
|
www.fortis.com |
|
|
|
|
www.santander.com |
|
|
A live conference call by dialling: |
|
|
|
UK Toll: +44 207 138 0811 |
|
|
|
|
UK Toll free: 0800 028 7847 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll: +1 718 354 1193 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll free: 1888 893 9532 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll: +34 914 533 434 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll free: 800 099 465 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll: +31 20 713 2789 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll free: 0800 026 0068 |
|
|
A live video conference for journalists in Madrid. |
|
|
|
Please call +34 289 5221 for information |
|
|
There will be a replay facility on the media call. This can be accessed by dialling: |
|
|
|
UK Toll: +44 207 806 1970 |
|
|
|
|
UK Toll free: 0800 559 3271 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll: +1 718 354 1112 |
|
|
|
|
US Toll free: 1 866 883 4489 |
|
|
|
|
Spain Toll: +34 917 889 869 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll: +31 20 713 2791 |
|
|
|
|
Netherlands Toll free: 0800 027 0028 |
|
|
|
|
Passcode for replay: |
|
|
|
English: 4270111# |
|
|
|
|
Spanish: 9849777# |
|
|
The webcast provides an opportunity to listen remotely to the live presentation. You may join in the Q&A
presentation by using the live conference call. |
|
|
|
Broadcast media who wish to access live transmission for the press conference should contact the respective
press offices or email mediarelations@rbs.co.uk for details. |
|
|
|
Time constraints in the schedule will restrict the availability of the Principals for broadcast interviews.
Broadcast media who wish to request an interview should contact the respective press offices or email
mediarelations@rbs.co.uk. Satellite links and ISDN lines are available for broadcast interviews. |
|
|
|
For logistical reasons, no camera teams or photographers will be allowed in the conference rooms |
-21-
Important Information
This announcement is an announcement as defined in article 9g(1) a in fine of the Decree. In
connection with the proposed Offer, RBS expects to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on
Form F-4, which will constitute a prospectus, and the Banks expect to file with the SEC a Tender
Offer Statement on Schedule TO and other relevant materials. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY
DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED OFFER IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to obtain a copy of such documents, without charge,
at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of
such documents may also be obtained from each Bank, without charge, once they are filed with the
SEC.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities
laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale into the
United States. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to
registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes certain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the
current expectations of the Banks and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in certain
circumstances. Forward-looking statements include any statements related to the benefits or
synergies resulting from a transaction with ABN AMRO and, without limitation, statements typically
containing words such as intends, expects, anticipates, targets, plans, estimates and
words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are
a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not
limited to, the presence of a competitive offer for ABN AMRO, satisfaction of any pre-conditions or
conditions to the proposed Offer, including the receipt of required regulatory and anti-trust
approvals, the successful completion of the Offer or any subsequent compulsory acquisition
procedure, the anticipated benefits of the proposed Offer (including anticipated synergies) not
being realized, the separation and integration of ABN AMRO and its assets among the Banks and the
integration of such businesses and assets by the Banks being materially delayed or more costly or
difficult than expected, as well as additional factors, such as changes in economic conditions,
changes in the regulatory environment, fluctuations in interest and exchange rates, the outcome of
litigation and government actions. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. None of the Banks
undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
Other Information
Merrill Lynch International, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is
acting as financial adviser to Fortis, RBS and Santander and as underwriter for Fortis, RBS and
Santander, and is acting for no one else in connection with the proposed Offer, and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Fortis, RBS and Santander for providing the protections afforded
to customers of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice to any other person in
relation to the proposed Offer.
-22-
Fortis Bank SA/NV, which is authorised and regulated in Belgium by the CBFA, Greenhill & Co.
International LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, and
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Ltd, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, are
acting as financial advisers to Fortis. Fortis Bank SA/NV, Greenhill & Co. International LLP and
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Ltd are acting for no one else in connection with
the proposed Offer, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Fortis for providing the protections afforded to
their respective customers nor for providing advice to any other person in relation to the proposed
Offer. Fortis Bank SA/NV and Greenhill & Co. International LLP are acting as financial adviser in
connection with the transaction and Fox-Pitt, Kelton Ltd is acting as financial adviser in
connection with the financing of the transaction.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA,
is acting as financial adviser to RBS and is acting for no one else in connection with the proposed
Offer, and will not be responsible to anyone other than RBS for providing the protections afforded
to customers of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc nor for providing advice to any other person in
relation to the proposed Offer.
Santander Investment, S.A., which is authorised and regulated in Spain by the Banco de España and
the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, is acting as financial adviser to Santander and is
acting for no one else in connection with the proposed Offer, and will not be responsible to anyone
other than Santander for providing the protections afforded to customers of Santander Investment,
S.A. nor for providing advice to any other person in relation to the proposed Offer.
NIBC Bank N.V., which is authorised and regulated in the Netherlands by the AFM and DNB, is acting
as financial adviser to Santander and is acting for no one else in connection with the proposed
Offer, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Santander for providing the protections
afforded to customers of NIBC Bank N.V. nor for providing advice to any other person in relation to
the proposed Offer.
Any Offer made in or into the United States will only be made by the Banks and/or RFS Holdings
directly or by a dealer-manager that is registered with the SEC.
-23-
APPENDIX I
OTHER PROPOSED OFFER DETAILS
Further information on the terms of the proposed Offer
ABN AMRO shareholders are expected to be entitled to receive and retain the ABN AMRO interim
dividend in respect of 2007 (expected to be paid on 27 August 2007).
The terms of the proposed Offer exclude the ABN AMRO 2007 interim dividend which has been assumed
to be 0.55 per ABN AMRO Share. If the actual ABN AMRO 2007 interim dividend differs from this
assumption, the Banks reserve the right, at their discretion, to make an appropriate adjustment to
the terms of the proposed Offer. The Offer consideration will be reduced to reflect the gross
effect of any dividends (other than the ABN AMRO 2007 interim dividend up to 0.55), distributions
(including, inter alia, shareholders meetings attendance premiums), share splits, share dividends
or analogous transactions effective from the date hereof until the date on which tendered ABN AMRO
Shares are accepted for exchange (both dates included).
Financing of the proposed Offer
Under the terms of the proposed Offer, RBS intends to issue New RBS Shares to ABN AMRO shareholders
and holders of ABN AMRO ADSs and to provide a portion of the cash consideration. Fortis and
Santander intend to issue equity to raise cash which will be used, together with cash from other
sources, to satisfy their respective portions of the consideration payable to ABN AMRO shareholders
and holders of ABN AMRO ADSs under the terms of the proposed Offer. All three banks intend to issue
Tier 1 capital instruments to raise cash.
The Banks proposed Offer will not be subject to any financing condition or to the disposal of any
businesses by any Bank including the ABN AMRO businesses being acquired. On the basis of and
subject to the terms and conditions of agreements entered into with each of the Banks, Merrill
Lynch, together with certain other major international financial institutions, has undertaken to
underwrite the following issues of securities by each of the Banks.
Fortis intends to raise 15 billion of new equity financing via a rights issue and up to 5 billion
of new Tier 1 capital, and to release up to 8 billion of capital. Under the terms of the proposed
Offer, RBS would issue New RBS Shares with an aggregate value of approximately 15 billion to ABN
AMRO shareholders. RBS also intends to raise approximately 6 billion of new non-dilutive Tier 1
capital and to finance the remainder of its share of the consideration through internal resources.
Santander intends to raise approximately 9.5-10 billion of new equity financing via a rights issue
and mandatorily convertible instruments, amounting to approximately half of its share of the
consideration, and to finance the remainder through balance sheet optimisation, including leverage,
incremental securitisation and asset disposals.
New RBS Shares
Application will be made to the FSA for the New RBS Shares to be admitted to the Official List and
to the LSE for such shares to be admitted to trading on the LSEs main market for listed
securities.
It is expected that trading on the LSE will become effective and dealings, for normal settlement,
will begin shortly following the date on which it is announced that all conditions to the proposed
Offer have been satisfied or waived.
The offer and sale of the New RBS Shares will be registered with the SEC. It is expected that an
application will be made to list the New RBS Shares, in the form of ADSs, on the NYSE.
RBS Shares are only listed on the Official List. However, certain preference shares of RBS are
traded in the United States through a NYSE-listed ADR programme, with The Bank of New York as the
depositary and paying agent.
-24-
Further details on settlement, listing and dealing will be included in the Offer documentation. The
New RBS Shares will be issued credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with
existing RBS ordinary shares and will be entitled to all dividends and other distributions declared
or paid by RBS by reference to a record date on or after completion of the proposed Offer but not
otherwise. RBS intends to pay dividends semi-annually. It is expected that the record date for the
interim dividend declared by RBS in respect of 2007 will be before completion of the proposed
Offer.
Further details of the rights attaching to the New RBS Shares and a description of any material
differences between the rights attaching to those shares and the ABN AMRO Shares will be set out in
the Offer documentation.
Convertible preference shares
The Banks intend to make a proposal for all the depositary receipts representing the issued and
outstanding Convertible Financing Preference Shares consistent with the terms of the prospectus
dated August 31, 2004 relating to the Convertible Financing Preference Shares.
A cash offer will be made for the issued and outstanding Formerly Convertible Preference Shares of
26.50, the closing price on 25 May 2007. The aggregate consideration payable for the Formerly
Convertible Preference Shares will be in the region of 1.2 million.
Options
If permissible under the applicable plans, holders of Options will be offered the ability to
exercise their Options and accept the proposed Offer.
RFS Holdings
It is intended that the proposed Offer will be made through RFS Holdings, a company owned by the
Banks and organised and existing under Dutch law. Each of the Banks will have representation on the
board of RFS Holdings. Under the terms of the consortium agreement entered into by the Banks, RFS
Holdings will be funded by the Banks to settle the cash portion of the consideration and will
procure the issue to ABN AMRO shareholders by RBS of the New RBS Shares.
Option for shareholders to convert New RBS Shares into ADSs
Holders of ABN AMRO ADSs will be offered 30.40 cash plus 0.844 New RBS Shares per ABN AMRO ADS
under the terms of the proposed Offer, including 1.00 in cash to be retained by the Banks pending
resolution of the LaSalle Situation. RBS intends to facilitate a custodial arrangement prior to
completion of the transaction which will allow former US holders of ABN AMRO Ordinary Shares and
former holders of ABN AMRO ADSs to hold and trade the New RBS Shares issued to such holders. Under
this arrangement, such shareholders will be able to elect to convert their dividends into US
dollars.
Prior to completion of the proposed Offer, RBS expects to establish an ADS programme in the United
States. US holders of ABN AMRO Ordinary Shares or holders of ABN AMRO ADSs who receive New RBS
Shares under the proposed Offer are expected to be able to deposit such New RBS Shares in exchange
for new RBS ADSs on completing the necessary formalities. It is expected that an application will
be made to list the new RBS ADSs on the NYSE.
Persons who elect to exchange their New RBS Shares for RBS ADSs will be required to pay stamp duty
reserve tax and any other taxes or other costs associated with the exchange of New RBS Shares for
RBS ADSs.
-25-
Euronext listing
In addition, RBS intends to list the New RBS Shares on Eurolist by Euronext Amsterdam N.V. If
practicable, RBS will apply for such listing prior to the completion of the proposed Offer.
-26-
APPENDIX II
PRE-CONDITIONS TO THE PROPOSED OFFER
|
|
The preliminary ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber
that the consummation of the Bank of America Agreement should
be subject to ABN AMRO shareholder approval has been upheld
or otherwise remains in force, whether or not pursuant to any
decision of the Dutch Supreme Court, or of any other judicial
body, and ABN AMRO shareholders have failed to approve the
Bank of America Agreement by the requisite vote at the ABN
AMRO EGM. |
|
|
|
There has been no material adverse change in respect of
ABN AMRO, Fortis, RBS or Santander (excluding any material
adverse change resulting from the LaSalle Situation). |
|
|
|
All necessary notifications, filings, submissions and
applications required to make the proposed Offer have been
made and all authorisations and relief required to make the
proposed Offer have been obtained. |
|
|
|
All requisite employee consultations and information
procedures with trade unions and other employee
representative bodies of Fortis and, insofar as applicable,
ABN AMRO have been completed. |
The pre-conditions to the proposed Offer are for the benefit of the Banks and, to the extent
permitted, may be waived by the Banks (either in whole or in part) at any time prior to the
commencement of the proposed Offer. Notice of any such waiver shall be given in the manner
prescribed by applicable law.
-27-
APPENDIX III
PROPOSED OFFER CONDITIONS
|
|
ABN AMRO shareholders have failed to approve the
Bank of America Agreement by the requisite vote at
the ABN AMRO EGM convened for that purpose. |
|
|
|
At least 80% of the issued and outstanding
ordinary shares of ABN AMRO on a fully diluted basis
have been tendered into the proposed Offer and not
withdrawn or are otherwise held by the Banks. |
|
|
|
There has been no material adverse change in
respect of ABN AMRO, Fortis, RBS or Santander
(excluding any material adverse change resulting from
the LaSalle Situation). |
|
|
|
Other than the LaSalle Situation, no litigation
or other legal, governmental or regulatory
proceedings or investigations by a third party
(including any regulatory body or governmental
authority) have been instituted or threatened or are
continuing and no judgement, settlement, decree or
other agreement relating to litigation or other
legal, governmental or regulatory proceedings or
investigations instituted by a third party (including
any regulatory body or governmental authority) shall
be in effect which might, individually or in
aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely affect ABN AMRO, RFS Holdings or any Bank
or any of their respective affiliates. |
|
|
|
All necessary notifications, filings,
submissions and applications in connection with the
proposed Offer have been made and all authorisations
and consents in connection with the proposed Offer
have been obtained in a form satisfactory to the
Banks and all relevant waiting periods have expired
and all mandatory or appropriate regulatory and
competition approvals, insofar as required for
settlement of the proposed Offer, of domestic and
international regulatory authorities have been
obtained in a form satisfactory to the Banks. |
|
|
|
The registration statement on Form F-4 and any
registration statement on Form F-6 filed with the SEC
in conjunction with the proposed Offer for
registration of the securities being offered under
the proposed Offer has become effective, no stop
order has been issued or proceedings for suspension
of its effectiveness initiated by the SEC. |
|
|
|
No notification has been received by any of the
Banks from their respective home regulators that
there is likely to be a material and adverse change
in the supervisory, reporting or regulatory capital
arrangements that will apply to ABN AMRO or any of
the Banks. |
|
|
|
Confirmation has been obtained that the New RBS
Shares will be admitted to the Official List and
admitted to trading on the LSEs main market for
listed securities. |
|
|
|
The general meetings of shareholders of the
Banks have passed all agreed or required resolutions. |
|
|
|
Other than entry into of the Purchase and Sale
Agreement dated as of April 22, 2007 between Bank of
America and ABN AMRO Bank N.V. in respect of ABN AMRO
North America Holding Company, the holding company
for LaSalle Bank Corporation including the
subsidiaries LaSalle Bank N.A. and LaSalle Bank
Midwest N.A., no member of the ABN AMRO Group has
entered into, or completed any transaction, involving
the sale, repurchase, redemption or issue by ABN AMRO
or its affiliates to third parties of any shares in
its own share capital (or securities convertible or
exchangeable into shares or options to subscribe for
any of the foregoing), or involving the sale of a
material part of its business or assets, and no
member of the ABN AMRO Group has entered into, varied
or terminated any material contract outside the
ordinary course of business or given any undertaking
to do any of the foregoing. ABN AMRO has also not
approved or declared any dividend nor has ABN AMRO made any payment of such dividend, except in the
normal course of business and consistent with past practice. |
-28-
|
|
All requisite employee consultations and
information procedures with trade unions and other
employee representative bodies of Fortis and, insofar
as applicable, ABN AMRO have been completed. |
The conditions to the proposed Offer are for the benefit of the Banks and, to the extent permitted,
may be waived by the Banks (either in whole or in part) at any time prior to the expiration of the
proposed Offer. Notice of any such waiver shall be given in the manner prescribed by applicable
law.
In order to enable the Banks to make the proposed Offer and post Offer documentation before the
Dutch Supreme Court, or any other relevant judicial body, as the case may be, has issued its
decision, the Banks reserve the right to make their proposed Offer conditional on the preliminary
ruling of the Dutch Enterprise Chamber being upheld or otherwise remaining in force, or on a final
court decision having been taken that it is a legal requirement that the Bank of America Agreement
must be approved by ABN AMRO shareholders by the requisite vote at the ABN AMRO EGM.
-29-
APPENDIX IV
SOURCES AND BASES
Save as otherwise stated, the following constitute the sources and bases of certain
information referred to in this announcement:
1. |
|
The values placed on the entire issued ordinary share capital of ABN AMRO by the Banks
proposed Offer and Barclays proposed offer are based on 1,852,448,094 ABN AMRO Ordinary
Shares (as at 18 April 2007 and derived from the announcement by ABN AMRO and Barclays on 23
April 2007) and on the price of Barclays ordinary shares of 712.5p at the close of business on
24 April 2007, the day before the Banks first announced details of their proposals including a
price indication, and on the price of RBS Shares of 642.5p at the close of business on 25 May
2007. |
2. |
|
The reference to significant and sustained future incremental earnings growth for
shareholders of the Banks is not intended, nor should it be construed, as a profit forecast or
be interpreted to mean that ABN AMROs or the Banks respective earnings per share for the
current or future financial years will necessarily match or exceed the historical published
respective earnings per share of ABN AMRO or the Banks. |
3. |
|
The exchange rate used in this announcement is 1.00:£0.6780 as published in the Financial
Times on 26 May 2007, or, where the context so requires, 1.00:£0.6802 as published in the
Financial Times on 25 April 2007. |
4. |
|
The financial information relating to Fortis has been extracted from its consolidated audited
annual accounts for the years to which such information relates and the interim and quarterly
unaudited financial statements for the relevant periods as published by Fortis, all of which
are prepared in accordance with IFRS. |
5. |
|
The financial information relating to RBS has been extracted from its consolidated audited
annual accounts for the years to which such information relates and the interim unaudited
financial statements for the relevant periods as published by RBS, all of which are prepared
in accordance with IFRS. |
6. |
|
The financial information relating to Santander has been extracted from its consolidated
audited annual accounts for the years to which such information relates and the interim and
quarterly unaudited financial statements for the relevant periods as published by Santander,
all of which are prepared in accordance with IFRS. |
7. |
|
The financial information relating to ABN AMRO has been extracted from its consolidated
audited annual accounts for the years to which such information relates and the interim and
quarterly unaudited financial statements for the relevant periods as published by ABN AMRO for
the relevant periods, all of which are prepared in accordance with IFRS. None of the Banks
accepts responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. |
8. |
|
The total promised and delivered synergies in the Generale Bank transaction are derived from
the Fortis Investor Day Presentation published on 2 October 2003. |
9. |
|
The total promised and delivered synergies in the acquisition of NatWest by RBS are derived
from the RBS 2002 annual results presentation. |
10. |
|
The total promised and delivered synergies in the acquisition of Abbey by Santander are
derived from the announcement of the acquisition of Abbey National plc by Santander published
on 26 July 2004, and the Abbey Results Presentation of 1 February 2007. |
-30-
11. |
|
The profit before tax figures for the businesses being acquired by each of the Banks under
the proposed Offer, as set out on page 9, are based on estimates prepared by the management of
each of the Banks. In the preparation of these estimates the Banks have taken account of the
profit before tax reported for each of ABN AMROs divisions, as
set out in ABN AMROs 2006 Annual Report & Accounts, and have made adjustments including but not
limited to: |
|
a. |
|
The figures have been taken from ABN AMROs stated figures before
consolidation of private equity and excluding discontinued businesses. |
|
|
b. |
|
The figures have been adjusted for certain restructuring costs and other
one-off or non-recurring items, as stated by ABN AMRO in its 2006 Annual Report &
Accounts and preliminary financial results for the 2006 financial year (published on 8
February 2007). |
|
|
c. |
|
The figures exclude purchase accounting adjustments relating to Antonveneta,
amounting to (336) million before tax. |
|
|
d. |
|
The figures have been adjusted to reflect certain of the differences between
the Business Unit (BU) definitions in ABN AMROs 2006 Annual Report and Accounts and
the planned division of ABN AMROs businesses following reorganisation. These
adjustments include the Banks estimates of the profit before tax achieved by certain
operations including the former Wholesale Clients division (as defined by ABN AMRO in
the 2005 Annual Report) operations within BU Netherlands and Interbank. The Banks
estimates are not audited and may not be accurate. The profit before tax figures have
not been adjusted for certain other such differences due to the unavailability of
public information, including in respect of profits derived from corporate clients
within BU Latin America excluding Brazil. |
|
|
e. |
|
Adjustments to ABN AMROs reported figures in respect of non-recurring,
non-operating and similar items have been made based on assumptions and estimates made
by the Banks. These estimates are not audited and may not be accurate or
comprehensive. |
-31-
APPENDIX V
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement unless the context otherwise
requires:
|
|
|
ABN AMRO
|
|
ABN AMRO Holding N.V. |
|
|
|
ABN AMRO ADS
|
|
an American Depositary Share of ABN AMRO,
evidenced by an American depositary receipt,
each representing one ABN AMRO Ordinary Share |
|
|
|
ABN AMRO EGM
|
|
the extraordinary general meeting of ABN AMRO
shareholders to be convened for the purposes of
considering the Bank of America Agreement |
|
|
|
ABN AMRO Group
|
|
ABN AMRO and its subsidiaries and subsidiary
undertakings |
|
|
|
ABN AMRO Ordinary Share
|
|
an ordinary share in the capital of ABN AMRO,
nominal value 0.56 per share (including such
shares underlying ABN AMRO ADSs) |
|
|
|
ABN AMRO Share
|
|
an ABN AMRO Ordinary Share or an ABN AMRO ADS |
|
|
|
ADR
|
|
an American Depositary Receipt |
|
|
|
ADS
|
|
an American Depositary Share
evidenced by an American depositary receipt |
|
|
|
AFM
|
|
The Netherlands Financial Markets Authority
(Autoriteit Financiële Markten) |
|
|
|
AUM
|
|
assets under management |
|
|
|
Bank of America
|
|
Bank of America Corporation |
|
|
|
Bank of America Agreement
|
|
the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of
April 22, 2007, between Bank of America and ABN
AMRO Bank N.V. in respect of ABN AMRO North
America Holding Company, the holding company
for LaSalle Bank Corporation, including the
subsidiaries LaSalle Bank N.A. and LaSalle Bank
Midwest N.A., including any amendment thereto |
|
|
|
Banks
|
|
Fortis, RBS and Santander |
|
|
|
Barclays
|
|
Barclays Bank plc |
|
|
|
BFIC
|
|
Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission
(Belgium) |
|
|
|
Boards
|
|
the Supervisory and Managing Boards of ABN
AMRO, unless otherwise specified in the text |
|
|
|
CBFA
|
|
Commission Bancaire Financière et des Assurances |
|
|
|
Citizens
|
|
Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of RBS |
-32-
|
|
|
Convertible Financing
Preference Shares
|
|
the convertible financing preference shares in
the capital of ABN AMRO with a nominal value of
0.56 each, which are evidenced by depositary
receipts |
|
|
|
Decree
|
|
Dutch Decree on the Supervision of the
Securities Trade 1995 |
|
|
|
DNB
|
|
De Nederlandsche Bank |
|
|
|
EPS
|
|
earnings per share |
|
|
|
Formerly Convertible
Preference Shares
|
|
the (formerly convertible) preference shares in
the capital of ABN AMRO with a nominal value of
2.24 each |
|
|
|
Fortis
|
|
Fortis N.V. and Fortis SA/NV |
|
|
|
FSA
|
|
UK Financial Services Authority |
|
|
|
LaSalle
|
|
LaSalle Bank Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ABN AMRO North America Holding
Company, or, where the context so requires, ABN
AMRO North America Holding Company and its
subsidiaries from time to time |
|
|
|
LaSalle Situation
|
|
any proceedings, claims or actions asserted
against ABN AMRO (or any member of the ABN AMRO
Group) by Bank of America or any of its
affiliates, in each case to the extent arising
out of or related to the Bank of America
Agreement |
|
|
|
LSE
|
|
London Stock Exchange plc |
|
|
|
Merrill Lynch
|
|
Merrill Lynch International |
|
|
|
New RBS Shares
|
|
the new ordinary shares to be issued by RBS as
part of the consideration in the proposed Offer |
|
|
|
NYSE
|
|
the New York Stock Exchange operated by NYSE
Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
Offer
|
|
the proposed offer to be made by RFS Holdings
for all of the issued and to be issued ABN AMRO
Shares |
|
|
|
Official List
|
|
the Official List maintained by the FSA |
|
|
|
Options
|
|
the options or awards held under ABN AMRO share
option schemes entitling holders to receive ABN
AMRO Shares |
|
|
|
RBS
|
|
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc |
|
|
|
RBS ADS
|
|
an American Depositary Share issued by RBS,
evidenced by an American depositary receipt,
each representing such number of RBS Shares as
will be designated in the deposit agreement
once entered into. |
-33-
|
|
|
RBS Share
|
|
an ordinary share in the capital of RBS |
|
|
|
RFS Holdings
|
|
RFS Holdings B.V., a special purpose vehicle
company incorporated in the Netherlands through
which the Banks will make the proposed Offer |
|
|
|
Santander
|
|
Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. |
|
|
|
SEC
|
|
US Securities and Exchange Commission |
|
|
|
UK or United Kingdom
|
|
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland and its dependent territories |
|
|
|
UKLA
|
|
UK Listing Authority |
|
|
|
US or United States
|
|
the United States of America (including the
states of the United States and the District of
Columbia), its possessions and territories and
all areas subject to its jurisdiction |
-34-