Bank M&A bounces back
Banks have emerged from the global financial crisis with a clearer picture of how they need to be structured. Strategic M&A is back as banks across Europe consolidate and lean in to the fintech revolution.
In 2017, the European economy expanded by 2.5 per cent, its strongest performance since before the global financial crisis. However, economic growth has done little to ease mounting stakeholder pressure on the bloc’s financial institutions. Persistently low interest rates, increasing regulatory burden, competition from fintechs, unavoidable IT cost hikes and elevated consumer expectations are only some of the factors which have led to declining revenues for many of the region’s largest and most well-established financial services businesses.
The call of the global financial elite in Davos for consolidation across Europe’s financial services industry was somewhat inevitable.
In this series of individual reports, each focusing on one main financial services subsector, being Banks, State-aided banks, Fintech, Asset/wealth management, Market infrastructure and UK consumer finance, we analyse the industry’s response to that call.
We highlight the key European M&A trends in the first half of 2018, and provide our insights into the outlook for M&A moving forward.
European financial services
M&A trends
Banks have emerged from the global financial crisis with a clearer picture of how they need to be structured. Strategic M&A is back as banks across Europe consolidate and lean in to the fintech revolution.
State-aided banks are a fertile source of deal flow. Institutions continue to deleverage balance sheets and dispose of non-core businesses, while governments seek privatisation. But make no mistake — deals are hard fought, with risk allocation needing to be carefully managed at every turn.
By Guy Potel
Fintech M&A volumes and values soared in H1 2018 as banks embraced fintech as a key enabler of operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Private equity and venture capital houses continued to invest aggressively in the space, buoyed by a series of strong exits and growing buyer demand.
By Gavin Weir
New regulation, competition from fintech disruptors and ever-more sophisticated and demanding retail investors (wanting more for less) have forced asset/wealth managers to build scale through mergers of equals, acquisition of smaller players and buy-in of technology. The global financial crisis is behind them, but the new challenges are no less daunting.
M&A in payment services is red hot, but anti-trust concerns in the trading platform space and dominant incumbents in the custodian sub-sector has meant deal activity as a whole has been uneven.
By Ashley Ballard and Hyder Jumabhoy
Regulation has put the brakes on deal activity involving credit card providers and payday lenders, but specialty and marketplace lenders are continuing to attract large amounts of strategic and private equity interest.
What's hot and what's not across the European financial services landscape
White & Case partner Patrick Sarch talks about some of the trends that will shape M&A activity across European financial services.
Pressure mounts on States to recoup public funds
White & Case partner Richard Pogrel talks about the key themes within the state-aided banks sector and what is driving activity within the sector.
Consolidation activity intensifies with possible mega-mergers on the horizon
White & Case partner Gavin Weir shares his predictions for the asset/wealth management sector over the next 12-18 months and discusses what has been driving consolidation within the sector.
Responsiveness makes all the difference
White & Case partner John Reynolds talks about the principle areas of focus for the FCA and the recent change to how they approach investigations.
Consumer finance markets differ substantially across Europe. This section centres on the UK (but not exclusively), given significant levels of M&A driven by regulatory change and the resulting investor behaviour.
The UK specialty finance market is at an inflexion point. If first movers successfully IPO, access to additional capital would boost credit availability for SMEs and consumers, as well as the ABS market.
Regulation has put the brakes on deal activity involving credit card providers and payday lenders, but specialty and marketplace lenders are continuing to attract large amounts of strategic and private equity interest.
Tougher rules and public scrutiny give dealmakers reason for pause.
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There are deals to be done, but activity will remain steady at best as regulation weighs on credit card providers. The UK FCA estimates its new rules could cost providers anywhere between £310 million and £1.3 billion per annum. Buyers are understandably cautious as a result.
Upward, marginal
Strategic and financial sponsor-led M&A
The UK watchdog keeps M&A in check.
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Players with sound customer practices will continue to attract investment and win market share. However, for most payday lenders, the focus is on bringing internal business practices into line with the UK FCA's requirements rather than deal-making.
Flat
Some financial sponsor support
Stratospheric possibilities, as the first wave of platforms poise for IPO.
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High levels of M&A activity as market participants seek to capitalise on their first-mover advantages.
Brexit may also present a unique opportunity for speciality finance — while High Street banks focus more on high-margin corporate lending, speciality finance businesses can strengthen their position in SME and consumer lending niches.
Upward, significant
Financial sponsor-led and strategic M&A
Deal highlight
Tesco's departure limits Irish credit card consumer choice to just six providers. Avantcard has rapidly accumulated market share, having only arrived in Ireland in 2012 through the acquisition of Carrick-on-Shannon – based MBNA.
Deal highlight
Amigo Loans is amongst the first to take the plunge.*
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* White & Case LLP acted on this transaction.
** US transactions. Included for illustration of a possible future European trend.
*** Source: PeerIQ (April 2018).
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