Standard Bank Group (SBG) is proposing to buy 100 percent of Liberty Holdings Limited (Liberty) and to integrate Liberty more closely into the greater group. This will, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, lead to the de-listing of Liberty and Liberty becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of SBG. SBG currently owns 54 percent of Libertyโs issued ordinary shares.
SBG and Liberty have enjoyed a long-standing strategic relationship, with Standard Bank as a majority shareholder, as well as a highly successful and valuable bancassurance arrangement. The proposed transaction is a natural progression in this special relationship, increasing Standardโs ability to collaborate to provide the best financial service offerings to our clients through the most effective means.
SBGโs strategy is to be an Africa-focused, client centred, digitally enabled integrated financial services group. This strategy is underpinned by SBGโs purpose: Africa is our home, we drive her growth. SBGโs strategy and vision commits SBG to delivering simple, relevant and complete solutions to its clients through their preferred channel, whether online or in person. SBG has now begun the process of extending its range of services to become a trusted and preferred provider of an increasingly wide range of financial and associated services.
Libertyโs strategy is to become a human-augmented platform business whose purpose is to make its clientsโ financial freedom possible. This naturally complements and reinforces SBGโs purpose and strategy.
SBG CEO Sim Tshabalala said; โThe integration of Liberty into Standard Bank Group enhances our ability to meet our clientsโ financial needs, making possible holistic advice and competitive solutions for them, especially during major transition points in their lives. This transaction creates significant opportunities for capital efficiencies and to grow the united group by providing a fully integrated set of client offerings throughout SBGโs operations across Africaโ.
He added: โWe are creating a more united Group that will bring our banking, insurance and asset management businesses much closer together to create something really special. This will be a whole that will be much greater than the sum of its partsโ.
Liberty Group CEO David Munro said, โThe proposed transaction is a strong vote of confidence by SBG in the strength of Libertyโs business, its client franchise, and very importantly its adviser networks and teams of people. SBGโs banking, private client asset management and short-term insurance capabilities will complement Libertyโs strength in long term insurance and asset management, enhancing the competitive position of Libertyโs offerings while facilitating the creation of a united and formidable competitor in financial services in Africa, at scale.โ
The Independent Board of Liberty intends to recommend that the Ordinary Shareholders and Preference Shareholders vote in favour of the Ordinary Scheme and the Preference Scheme as outlined in the firm intention announcement.
Salient details of the transaction
If the transaction is implemented, Libertyโs minority shareholders will receive a cash consideration of R25.50 per share, together with 0.5 Standard Bank shares per Liberty share held. This represents a premium of 40.5 percent to Libertyโs 30-day VWAP prior to the announcement of the transaction, and of 32.6 percent to the closing price on 14 July 2021.
The transaction will require the approval of Libertyโs minority shareholders as well as regulatory approval across numerous jurisdictions, including the SARB Prudential Authority, the JSE, the Competition Commission and the Takeover Regulation Panel in South Africa.
The decision has been approved by the Boards of Standard Bank Group and Liberty. It was also supported by a preliminary independent fair and reasonable assessment which has been undertaken by an independent expert.
Should Libertyโs minority shareholders approve the transaction, it is expected to be finalised by the first quarter of 2022. We expect that the strong alignment of Standard Bank Group and Libertyโs purposes and goals should allow for an accelerated and seamless integration of the businesses. Until that point, the entities will function as two separate entities and operate on a business-as-usual basis, offering client service with minimal disruption.
