HBOS 'might be taken over by Lloyds TSB'
Lloyds TSB is in talks to take over HBOS, it emerged today.The discussions, which insiders say might result in a share deal which would value HBOS at around £16 billion, have come about due to the recent downwards pressure on the larger firm's stock.HBOS has been hit by negative market sentiment, with speculators apparently believing that it is having trouble in raising enough money to meet its costs.As a result, shares in the mortgage lender have declined by around 75 per cent since the beginning of the year - with the downwards trend quickening this week.News of the potential deal - which would create a new mortgage firm which retained 28 per cent of the entire UK market - was welcomed by analysts.Speaking to the Bloomberg news agency Ken Murray, chief executive officer at Blue Planet Investment Management, said: "It's a very obvious deal. The cost savings would be enormous because the overlap is so vast and they would end up with a very dominant position."
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