Spain's Banco Popular Espanol SA (POP.MC) is interested in
bidding on Unnim, a Catalonia savings bank seized by the Bank of
Spain and which will be auctioned off, reports Expansion in its
Tuesday Internet edition, without citing any sources.
Should the bank fail to take over Unnim's assets, it will bid
for Banco de Valencia SA (BVA.MC), another bank seized by the
central bank and which is expected to be sold after Unnim, some
time in the first half of the year, the paper adds.
According to Cinco Dias, Banco Santander SA (STD, SAN.MC), Banco
Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA, BBVA.MC), La Caixa, Ibercaja,
Unicaja and Kutxabank will also place bids for Unnim.
The banks will have to submit a non-binding bid for the savings
bank by Jan. 13, Cinco Dias adds.
Newspaper Web Site: www.expansion.com
Newspaper Web Site: www.cincodias.com
-Dow Jones Newswires, enza.tedesco@dowjones.com