Australian banks agree mega merger (AFP)
May 13, 2008
AFP - Two major Australian banks agreed Tuesday to a proposed merger which would create the nation's biggest financial services group worth around 66 billion dollars (62 billion US).
Westpac Banking Corporation and St George banks in merger talks
Westpac Banking Corporation, Australia's oldest company, is in talks with St George, a former building society, about merging to form a A$64 billion ($£31 billion) institution.
Westpac may have to boost $17.6 billion St George bid (Reuters)
Reuters - Westpac Banking Corp Ltd , which has bid $17.6 billion for St George Bank in the biggest banking takeover ever in Australia, is bracing for rival offers to emerge that could push the price tag even higher. 
Westpac says Gail Kelly a 'great asset'
Westpac Banking Corp chairman Ted Evans says CEO Gail Kelly is a "great asset" as the company attempts to buy rival St George Bank.
Westpac offer 'in the ball park'
Most analysts say Westpac's offer of $33.10 for each St George share is fair, but some are still hoping for more.
Westpac approaches St George over merger
Westpac Banking Corporation has approached St George Bank about a proposed merger between the two.
Mega-bank in the making
Westpac enters merger talks with St George Bank to create Australia's largest home lending and wealth management provider.
Westpac expect 8% cash earnings growth
Westpac Banking Corporation says it is on track to deliver 2008 cash earnings growth of between six and eight per cent.
Westpac to raise $600m from new issue
Westpac Banking Corp plans to raise $600 million from the sale of new Tier 1 hybrid securities in the domestic market.
Westpac and St George Bank mull £31bn merger
Westpac Banking Corporation, Australia’s oldest company, is in talks with a smaller rival to create a A$64 billion ($£31 billion) institution with a customer base equivalent to about half the size of the country’s population.
St George to recommend Westpac takeover
St George Bank's board will recommend to its shareholders Westpac Banking Corporation's $19b takeover after the two lenders signed an implementation agreement.
Westpac cash profit expected to rise
Westpac Banking Corporation is expected to sidestep the bad debt troubles faced by the ANZ Bank and report a healthy rise in first-half cash profit.
NAB still mulling St George bid
National Australia Bank chief executive John Stewart say his bank is looking over St George Bank before deciding whether to make a bid for it.
Westpac approaches St. George in...
Westpac Banking Corp. said Monday it has approached rival St. George Bank Ltd. with a 15 billion Australian dollars (US$14 billion; €9 billion) takeover offer that could be...
Stalking the dragon
The story of the acquisition of St George begins on a fateful day last August when some startling news sparked the global credit crisis, writes Danny John.
Creating nation's biggest bank will...
THE $700 million price tag attached to the merger of Westpac and St George banks is expected to be met by stripping as much as a quarter of St George's cost base from the...
St. George agrees to Westpac takeover
Westpac Banking Corp. and smaller rival St. George agreed to a takeover deal Tuesday worth 18.6 billion Australian dollars ($17.5 billion) that would create Australia's biggest...
Westpac deal raises hopes of Australia bank shake-out (Reuters)
Reuters - The largest banking takeover in Australia's corporate history has spurred investors to pile into shares of smaller banks in the hope of a sector shake-out.
Australia's Westpac offers $14B for bank rival St. George
Westpac Banking Corp. said Monday it has approached rival St. George Bank Ltd. with a $14 billion takeover offer that could lead to the biggest shakeup of Australia's banking sector in years.
St. George Bank agrees to Westpac...
St. George Bank agreed Tuesday to a nearly 19 billion Australian dollar (US$18 billion; €12 billion) takeover offer from Westpac Banking Corp. that would create Australia's...
Credit squeeze makes Dragon prey
The global credit squeeze and the higher cost of funding it has induced is the key that Westpac chairman Ted Evans hopes will unlock St George Bank.
Westpac, St George talk merger
Westpac enters merger talks with St George Bank to create Australia's largest home lending and wealth management provider.
Westpac set to mirror St George strategy
Westpac Bank will have to tread carefully if it wants to keep setting the standard for customer satisfaction at takeover target St George, a researcher says.
Westpac momentum tipped to continue
Analysts say Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd is a "safe haven" in the finance sector and are tipping its strong profit momentum to continue.
CBA, St George eye gains from Visa float
Commonwealth Bank and St George Bank expect to make a substantial windfall from the $US18 billion ($A19.89 billion) float of US credit card giant, Visa.