No easy ride for Asian banks chasing US M&A opportunities

Asian banks can expect a favourable reception if they are looking to expand in the US, according to Tom Michaud, chief executive officer and president of financials-focused investment bank Keefe, Bruyette Woods. A number of recent deals point to increasing interest in the US market by Asian banks that see opportunities to get good deals.

“The US is ahead of the rest of the world in terms of the balance sheet integrity of the banks,” said Michaud in New York, making it an attractive target market for expansionary Asian banks. Michaud points to two recent deals as indicative of this level of interest ICBC’s acquisition of an 80%...