HBOS might sell some assets to boost deposit ratio

LONDON (Reuters) - HBOS HBOS.L said it would consider selling assets where a buyer is willing to pay more for a business than it is worth to HBOS, but would not comment on whether that means its Australian unit is for sale.

"We will look at all sensible options to over time improve deposit to loan ratios," Chief Executive Andy Hornby told Reuters in an interview.

"That's about running down some assets, and if some buyers consider assets are worth more to them than they are to us then we don't rule that out."

Asked if that meant its Australian business could be sold, Hornby said he would not comment on specific assets.

HBOS, Britain's biggest home lender, is likely to continue writing about 20 percent of UK gross mortgage lending within a smaller overall market, Hornby said. The bank had about a 19 percent share of gross lending in the first half although its net lending share was 7-8 percent.

(Reporting by Steve Slater; Editing by Greg Mahlich)