CCPC issues assessment to Bank of Ireland and KBC Bank in on-going merger review
February 18, 2022
As part of its merger review process into the proposed acquisition by The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland (Bank of Ireland) of certain assets and liabilities of KBC Bank Ireland plc (M/21/021), the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued an assessment of the proposed transaction to both parties. This assessment, which sets out the preliminary views of the CCPC, is not a final determination. The parties can request access to the CCPC’s file. They have 15 working days to respond in writing to the CCPC’s assessment and they may also ask to make an oral submission.
This proposed acquisition was originally notified to CCPC in April 2021. As part of the proposed acquisition, Bank of Ireland would acquire KBC Bank Ireland’s performing loan assets (including performing mortgages, commercial and consumer loans), deposits and a small number of non-performing mortgages.
The CCPC carried out a preliminary investigation of the proposed acquisition and concluded that a full investigation was required to establish if the proposed transaction could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the State.
Based on the timelines as set out in the CCPC’s Merger Review Process, it is expected that the investigation will conclude by May 2022. At that time, the outcome of the investigation will be published on ccpc.ie. A full decision, having considered confidential information, will subsequently be published.
As the merger control review is ongoing, no further information or comment can be provided at this time.
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