ABN Amro's initial public offering (IPO) deserves a discount for its messy corporate governance structure. The Dutch state on November 10 set a price range for the nationalised bank that values it at up to euro 18.8 billion. Even at the top end, that valuation would look attractive relative to listed peers. But a markdown is warranted given that an anti-takeover provision could rescind investors' voting rights.
In a crowded market of European bank share sales, ABN's IPO initially looks appealing. The mooted price range would see ABN trade at between 0.9 times and 1.2 times book value. Not bad given it produced a nine-month return on equity of 14 per cent and a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 14.8 per cent. Domestic rival KBC is valued at a higher multiple, while Britain's Lloyds, with a similar business mix, trades in line.
The snag is governance. A foundation managing the government's stake will be empowered to cancel shareholders' voting rights for up to two years in the event of a loosely defined "hostile situation" - essentially a takeover that undervalues ABN or a shareholder vote that is contrary to the bank's interests. As a result, participating investors are only entitled to depositary receipts rather than full shares.
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Those familiar with Dutch corporate governance practices may shrug. Many of the country's corporations can issue preference shares to dilute predators as it is. Still, this souped-up structure looks particularly unnecessary now that the European Central Bank is starting to get to grips with its role as the region's banking regulator.
It will probably take the Dutch government years to exit ABN. Even after the state's completed sell-down, ABN's foundation shareholder will still exist in independent form, and retain the ability to withdraw voting rights. Investors should proceed with caution.
