Commonwealth Bank of Australia - proposed acquisition of a 33 per cent share in AHL Investments Pty Ltd
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
33933
Acquirer(s)
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Target(s)
AHL Investments Pty Ltd
Industry
Banking
Summary
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) proposes to acquire a 33 per cent share in Aussie Home Loans (AHL) Investments Pty Ltd.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
14
Commenced public review
11th September 2008
Date completed
30th September 2008
Market definition
The ACCC considered the relevant markets to be:
- the national market for home loan products;
- the national market for personal loan products; and
- the national market for credit cards.
Competition analysis
The ACCC formed the view that the acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets. Factors informing this conclusion included:
- the transaction would result in limited aggregation in the relevant markets; and
- the remaining competitors will pose a constraint on the pricing behaviour of the merged firm post acquisition.
Review timeline
Date
Event
11th September 2008
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
26th September 2008
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
30th September 2008
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
