mwekez@ji wrote:Ericsson wrote:Possibility of a complete buy-out was ruled out by the other shareholders some time back and I don't know if the two would be interested in undertaking the venture for now.
Also for Equity their business model is mostly in the short term loans of upto 5 years since their deposit base doesn't have individual clients who have deposits in the range of billions and tens of billions but rather a high number of small savers
@Ericsson, note Equity Bank is already holding the maximum allowed shareholding threshold in HFCK. Britam has been buying the share from market (NSE) like crazy and it is now about to also hit the maximum allowed shareholding threshold in HFCK. Their actions speak louder than words than they would willingly takeover HFCK if given the opportunity. .... on deposits, note Equity Bank is not the small boy we knew zama za kale!!!
Equity Bank's many small savers provide 'cheap' deposits AND allow for profitable multiple transactions. As for the 'other' HFCK shareholders who are against the buy-out. At 40, Equity/Britam can have my shares... and all Equity/Britam need are 75% of the votes. At the right price (or offer for a share swap) it will happen!
Long-term lending using short-term deposits affects ALL Kenyan banks since Kenyans are not known for long-term deposits due to low rates or inflation. It takes time. As the Insurance Sector develops, I expect long-term deposits to become important.
HFCK has HUGE synergies with Britam which can offer long-term funds tied to Life Insurance policies & insurance to/for the borrowers as well.
Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett