FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck
brushed off speculation the German government is pushing for a sale of Deutsche
Postbank AG. to a German bidder, according to Handelsblatt newspaper.
"There will be no political prize for a national solution," Steinbrueck told
the newspaper in an interview to be published on Friday, adding there will be a
fair bidding process.
Deutsche Post World Net AG. has said it is considering all options for the
future of its 50 percent plus one share holding in Postbank.
Deutsche Post is 31 percent-controlled by the German government through its
development bank, KfW Bankengruppe.
Sources earlier this week told Thomson Financial News that Deutsche Bank AG.
and Lloyds TSB Group Plc. are the only remaining suitors interested in taking
over Deutsche Postbank.
However, Steinbrueck told Handelsblatt that in principle he favors a sale of
the Postbank stake to a domestic company, creating a "national champion".
"Just like telecommunications, energy and logistics, banks are a key
industry that should be held in Germany," he said.
"And it would be desirable if we could find a new partner for Postbank
before the end of this year."
The number of jobs that would be cut as part of a merger or sale will be
taken into account in the negotiations, Steinbrueck said.
maria.sheahan@thomsonreuters.com
mas/kf1
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