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Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) Mulling Divesture of U.S. Banking Arm
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Mitsubishi UFG (MUFG - Free Report) is planning to offload its U.S. banking business, MUFG Union Bank, per a Bloomberg article. Citing people familiar with the matter, the article reported that the company is working with an advisor to explore its options. This move comes about 13 years after Mitsubishi UFG acquired the West Coast lender for $3.5 billion to boost its presence in the country.
This is part of the Japanese bank’s strategy to better compete with the industry biggies and financial technology lenders, as the U.S. regional banks are increasingly pursuing to pair up in the competitive market.
Per the article, the Japan-based bank has had unofficial preliminary conversations with budding buyers but has not initiated any formal auction. Further, no final decision has been taken and there’s no surety that the deliberations will lead to a final transaction.
MUFG Union Bank has more than 300 branches, largely located on the West Coast. It currently has assets worth roughly $132 billion, and provides retail banking, wealth management, corporate and commercial banking services. Over the years, Mitsubishi UFG has been expanding inorganically and continues to pursue its global growth opportunities. Since 2016, the bank has completed a number of acquisitions to expand its footprint globally.
In addition, the company is focused on its updated Medium-term Business Plan (2021 to 2023) that includes the upgradation and reformation of its business model, and the exploration of new business areas. In this regard, Mitsubishi UFG has implemented the “Eleven Transformation Initiatives”, which are specific strategic initiatives designed to help it cope with the adverse changes in the domestic or overseas business environment, and achieve sustainable growth.
However, the company has been facing challenges in controlling costs. Also, negative interest rates in Japan and strict regulations are concerns. Shares of the company have lost 2.3% in the past six months, against 1% growth of the industry.
Notably, many regional banks in the United States are undertaking restructuring initiatives, as part of their plan to maximize profits amid the low rate environment. In continuation with its efforts to boost returns by streamlining operations internationally, Citigroup Inc. (C - Free Report) signed a deal in August to sell its Australian consumer business unit to National Australia Bank for $882.24 million.
Earlier this month, Cadence Bancorporation (CADE - Free Report) entered into an agreement to divest its seven branches in Northeast Mississippi to The First, A National Banking Association, subsidiary of The First Bancshares, Inc. (FBMS - Free Report) . This is in line with the joint Letter of Agreement signed between Cadence and BancorpSouth with the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division in relation to the pending merger of BancorpSouth and Cadence.
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Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) Mulling Divesture of U.S. Banking Arm
Mitsubishi UFG (MUFG - Free Report) is planning to offload its U.S. banking business, MUFG Union Bank, per a Bloomberg article. Citing people familiar with the matter, the article reported that the company is working with an advisor to explore its options. This move comes about 13 years after Mitsubishi UFG acquired the West Coast lender for $3.5 billion to boost its presence in the country.
This is part of the Japanese bank’s strategy to better compete with the industry biggies and financial technology lenders, as the U.S. regional banks are increasingly pursuing to pair up in the competitive market.
Per the article, the Japan-based bank has had unofficial preliminary conversations with budding buyers but has not initiated any formal auction. Further, no final decision has been taken and there’s no surety that the deliberations will lead to a final transaction.
MUFG Union Bank has more than 300 branches, largely located on the West Coast. It currently has assets worth roughly $132 billion, and provides retail banking, wealth management, corporate and commercial banking services.
Over the years, Mitsubishi UFG has been expanding inorganically and continues to pursue its global growth opportunities. Since 2016, the bank has completed a number of acquisitions to expand its footprint globally.
In addition, the company is focused on its updated Medium-term Business Plan (2021 to 2023) that includes the upgradation and reformation of its business model, and the exploration of new business areas. In this regard, Mitsubishi UFG has implemented the “Eleven Transformation Initiatives”, which are specific strategic initiatives designed to help it cope with the adverse changes in the domestic or overseas business environment, and achieve sustainable growth.
However, the company has been facing challenges in controlling costs. Also, negative interest rates in Japan and strict regulations are concerns.
Shares of the company have lost 2.3% in the past six months, against 1% growth of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Notably, many regional banks in the United States are undertaking restructuring initiatives, as part of their plan to maximize profits amid the low rate environment. In continuation with its efforts to boost returns by streamlining operations internationally, Citigroup Inc. (C - Free Report) signed a deal in August to sell its Australian consumer business unit to National Australia Bank for $882.24 million.
Earlier this month, Cadence Bancorporation (CADE - Free Report) entered into an agreement to divest its seven branches in Northeast Mississippi to The First, A National Banking Association, subsidiary of The First Bancshares, Inc. (FBMS - Free Report) . This is in line with the joint Letter of Agreement signed between Cadence and BancorpSouth with the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division in relation to the pending merger of BancorpSouth and Cadence.