Bangkok Bank Snaps Up Bank Permata

Bangkok Bank emerges as the buyer of PT Bank Permata after Singapore’s DBS and OCBC reportedly backed out from bidding. Thailand’s second-largest lender Bangkok Bank bought Permata for about $2.7 billion to obtain a near 90 percent stake from Standard Chartered and PT Astra. The deal, which was advised by Morgan Stanley, was valued at 1.77 times Permata’s book value.

According to a Bangkok Bank release, it found the acquisition attractive due to Permata’s «leading retail deposit franchise and best-in-class digital capabilities» with more than 300 branches in 60 cities in Indonesia.

According to a filing, the acquisition is part of Bangkok Bank’s strategic transformation to become a regional lender, describing Indonesia as a «highly attractive and fast-growing market”.

International expansion is our key strategy,» said Piti Sithi-Amnuai, chairman of Bangkok Bank. «Indonesia, in particular, is a key focus for us, as it is one of the fastest-growing major economies in Asia with highly attractive macroeconomic fundamentals, favorable demographics, and increasing ASEAN regional integration.

Standard Chartered had signaled its intention to dispose of the stake in February, as it was no longer core to its strategy, and the funds raised from the sales could be used to further its share repurchase program which has already returned $1 billion.