Although cross-border M&A activity has been relatively limited in the EU, recent high profile acquisitions of Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank and BA-CA by Unicredit or Abbey National’s acquisition of Banco Santander Central Hispano may mark a turning point. As regards cross-border mergers and acquisitions, the Austrian financial sector could be considered as an exemption.
I thank you and wish you a very pleasant evening.