Barclays Bid Gets Backing From the East

China, Singapore put up cash for ABN Amro takeover offer
By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Jul 23, 2007 12:06 PM CDT
Barclays Bid Gets Backing From the East
A tram and people pass by a Barclays Bank branch in Croydon, South London, Monday, July 23, 2007. Barclays PLC said Monday it would increase its offer for ABN Amro Holding NV to euro 67.5 billion (US$93.2 billion) with the help of Asian financial partners. Barclays' new offer is euro 42.7 billion (US$58.9...   (Associated Press)

The Chinese and Singaporean governments have invested almost $5 billion in Barclays, helping the firm float more cash for its bid for ABN. The state-run companies would invest even more if the bid succeeds, which would leave the Chinese state with a holding of 7.7% of the world's new largest bank.

The investments have been made by the China Development Bank (CDB) and Temasek, the investing branch of Singapore's government, and arranged by the US firm Blackstone. After the dust settles, some may wonder if "the balance of economic power may be shifting eastward in a way that should concern us," says a BBC commentator. (More Barclays stories.)

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