Dutch-Belgian bank Fortis has confirmed it has met with senior executives of the Dutch central bank (DNB) to discuss its joint ABN takeover offer with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Banco Santander.
ABN AMRO said late yesterday that it would meet the three banks, which sent a joint letter to ABN last week proposing a takeover bid, to hear more details of an offer.
Although ABN is meeting the three banks, it is also in exclusive merger talks with Barclays until Friday to try and finalise a merger deal.
"We welcome the invitation of ABN AMRO for a meeting, and we are looking forward to the conversation next week," Fortis said in a statement. "Fortis, on behalf of the consortium, has spoken with the DNB."
Fortis and An Post received the go-ahead yesterday for their financial services joint venture after the Irish Financial Services Regulator approved a banking licence for the joint banking service 'Postbank.'