Bidders approach HBOS about Bank West bid

Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:33pm BST

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LONDON (Reuters) - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX) and National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB.AX) have talked to HBOS Plc HBOS.L about the potential acquisition of the British bank's Australian retail arm Bank West, reported the Sunday Times.

It said both Australian banks have also spoken to advisers about making a bid for Bank West's retail operation, which has 860,000 customers.

Both bidders are reluctant to take on the rest of HBOS's Australian operations, which include corporate banking under the brands BOS International, Capital Finance and St Andrew's, said the report.

A spokesman for HBOS said the bank would not comment on speculation.

(Editing by David Holmes)

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