BankUnited Auction Extended As Thrift Scrambles For Capital
2009年5月14日 - 11:26PM
Dow Jones News
The auction to find a new buyer for struggling BankUnited
Financial Corp. (BKUNA) has been extended until next week,
according to a person familiar with the matter.
Bidders were originally asked to submit their pitches to the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation by noon Thursday. However,
that deadline has been extended to next Tuesday, the person
said.
The thrift, based in Coral Gables, Fla., warned on Wednesday
that it could be forced into receivership by the FDIC if it failed
to raise $1 billion in fresh capital. BankUnited also estimated a
massive loss of $443.1 million for the fiscal second quarter,
according to a regulatory filing.
Two likely consortiums have emerged as acquirers of BankUnited,
but neither would confirm that a bid has been submitted.
Canada's Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) has teamed up with Goldman
Sachs Group Inc. (GS) to buy the thrift, according to another
person briefed on the matter. TD Bank would take over the branches
and deposits, while Goldman would take a nominal role buying up
some of BankUnited's distressed assets, the people said.
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross' WL Ross & Co. has
confirmed he plans to put in a bid through a consortium that
includes private-equity firms Blackstone Group (BX) and Carlyle
Group.
There has also been speculation that JC Flowers & Co., the
New York-based investment firm run by J. Christopher Flowers, also
might be interested. A spokesman for Flowers wouldn't comment on
talk of a bid, and his attorney didn't return telephone calls.
The FDIC declined to comment.
-By Joe Bel Bruno, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4047;
joe.belbruno@dowjones.com