Chapter 690: Means (Two in One)

The secret visit to the head of Bank of China did not last long.

Fang Zhuo and Paulson needed a possible attitude, and they got it.

The next step is to act louder than words.

President Li was right. Even though the funds have not been officially delivered, the contract has been signed and it will not be operational for long.

On the way back, the two of them still shared a car.

Paulson first talked about one thing.

"Fang, ICBC is a bank larger than other banks, and it also faces more complex and urgent problems."

"Whether from the perspective of ICBC's own development or Goldman Sachs' reputation, I would rather see that the cooperation with ICBC does not become intense."

He looked at Fang's expression, which was blurred under the light in the car, and made a clearer statement: "We should all quickly promote strategic investment in ICBC. This is a better situation for ICBC, Goldman Sachs, and MIGA Fund."

Fang Zhuo nodded and said, "Yes, I think so too."

Allianz Group and American Express were abandoned.

Their names no longer appeared in Paulson's words.

After truly seeing more benefits, the original shares of these two companies naturally became the basis for Fang Zhuo and Paulson to cooperate.

A stable cooperation with ICBC will also help the next step of formally contacting Bank of China. If MIGA and Goldman Sachs fight each other, they will inevitably lose a lot of points. What's more, the situation of Bank of China itself still requires everyone's joint efforts.

Paulson wants more.

The current situation is to solve ICBC first, so as to unite Fang Zhuo. Even if Fang Zhuo cannot provide more help after bringing in some tendencies of the head of Bank of China, at least he will not do bad things.

Fang Zhuo shook hands with Paulson, and the situation of ICBC took a big step forward.

He also took the initiative to mention the Bank of China: "I will try my best to see what Bank of China thinks about cooperation. If Goldman Sachs and MIGA can really be included as candidates for strategic investment, we must also try our best to provide guarantees for supervision."

"A reasonable lock-up period is a manifestation of sincerity."

"I also believe that China's banking industry will usher in rapid development."

If you want to poach talents, you must work hard from the outside and be reliable yourself.

The reason why the opportunity here at Bank of China is because the Royal Bank of Scotland's approach this time is unreliable.

Paulson agreed to the proposal of the lock-up period in principle, and the specific details should be discussed at the meeting table of ICBC.

The two exchanged the framework of cooperation again.

ICBC originally offered 3 board seats, but now only needs 2.

Bank of China is said to have signed a contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland, providing only 1 board seat. Merrill Lynch and Li Jiacheng Fund are both privately cooperating with Scotland, and if they are successfully replaced, they need to strive for 1 more board seat.

When the car arrived at the hotel, Fang Zhuo asked the last question.

"Paulson, how are you going to deal with Merrill Lynch?"

This is related to the success or failure of poaching.

"Merrill Lynch is raised by a group of xx." Paulson said calmly.

Fang Zhuo thought that this sentence might have some personal grudges, and he expected to hear something more accurate.

"Don't worry, I won't be wrong about that group of xx." Paulson only assured before getting off the car.

Fang Zhuo could only choose to believe it.

The head of Goldman Sachs walked into the hotel.

Fang Zhuo watched his figure disappear through the car window, and then said to the driver Chen Zhao: "Let's go, go back."

The car turned around.

Fang Zhuo drank two sips of water, thought about the contact tonight for a while, and suddenly remembered what happened before leaving, and asked casually: "Big Chen, do you think President Zhang will still wait for me in the hotel?"

Chen Zhao didn't know what business the boss was doing this time, but he knew it was a big deal.

He thought for a while and said: "It's so late, and he didn't say when he would go back. President Zhang won't be waiting."

That President Zhang is also a dignified president.

Fang Zhuo smiled and said: "I guess he hasn't left yet. President Zhang can bend and stretch to get to this position today."

Chen Zhao didn't quite believe it.

However, when he returned to the hotel, he saw that President Zhang not only didn't leave, but actually squatted at the door of the hotel, smoking and waiting, and President Fang seemed to have never expected it at all, and kept saying "Why is it this way".

Then the two presidents went to the meeting room again, talking and laughing.

Chen Zhao subconsciously glanced at the time. It was already 11:10 pm.

It's not easy, not easy at all.

Chen Zhao sighed in his heart and silently performed his duties.

...

In late September, the temperature in Beijing dropped with a continuous rain, but the cooperation between MIGA Fund, Goldman Sachs and ICBC suddenly became hot.

Originally, the acquisition consortium of MIGA Fund rushed into the ICBC meeting room in a surprise manner, Fang Zhuo and Goldman Sachs confronted each other, and Paulson personally flew from the United States to China, also trying to exert pressure from the administrative level.

Many ICBC leaders once thought that this strategic cooperation would be delayed for a while.

Unexpectedly, as if overnight, not only did it not be delayed, MIGA Fund even sat together with Goldman Sachs and announced that it was willing to complete the strategic investment in ICBC in a cooperative manner.

Allianz Group of Germany and American Express Company were inexplicably eliminated.

MIGA Fund became a new partner as the main body of the acquisition consortium, while Deutsche Bank, US Bancorp and Washington Mutual Bank, three banks that did not compete much with ICBC's main business, undertook a considerable part of the business cooperation.

Not only that, the US$3.7 billion price initially set with Goldman Sachs, Allianz and American Express to acquire 10% of ICBC's shares also changed. Goldman Sachs and MIGA Fund took the initiative to raise the price to US$3.8 billion.

this……

This gag is quite... good.

According to the current situation, private capital has entered the market, the valuation of the accused has increased, and the cooperative business has been allocated to banks in more vertical fields. At the same time, ICBC's share reform has not been delayed. It is simply as clean and tidy as imaginable. .

On September 30, the ICBC head office held the last meeting before the review, and all strategic investors attended.

This is basically the final plan.

Goldman Sachs Group and its private capital operating funds will invest US$2.6 billion to acquire 7% of the shares, and MIGA funds and Deutsche Bank, Partners and Mutual Bank will invest US$1.2 billion to acquire 3% of the shares.

Paulson and Fang Zhuo will become directors of ICBC after the share reform.

All acquired shares will be subject to a three-year lock-up period, and several parties have unanimously promised that they can renew the contract if necessary upon expiration.

ICBC leaders are very satisfied.

Now we just have to see how the China Securities Regulatory Commission handles this new cooperation plan.

"Paulson, why is it so calm here?"

After the cordial meeting, Fang Zhuo chatted with Paulson about things on the other side.

"Don't worry, we have already contacted Merrill Lynch." Paulson revealed the accurate information.

Fang Zhuo has been repeatedly researching relevant information and the background of this share reform and listing in the past few days. When he heard this sentence, his thoughts were rolling in his mind and he said, "Merrill Lynch can't be so short-sighted, right?"

Paulson was a little surprised and asked with interest: "Fang, what did you guess?"

He has not said anything since the night he visited President Li until now. He is also sure that the actions of the United States will never be reported here. The young CEO in front of him can only guess.

"I don't know much about Merrill Lynch." Fang Zhuo considered, "I just think that if I were in your position and used Merrill Lynch as a breakthrough point to leverage Bank of China, I might be trying to steal the contract they have."

Paulson remained calm and continued to listen.

Fang Zhuo didn't see anything from this man's face and continued: "The content of the cooperation between Merrill Lynch and Royal Bank of Scotland is kept secret. We don't know how it was signed, but the Bank of China is really unhappy."

BOC's displeasure is not only felt in his heart, but also expressed.

A reporter asked a Bank of China spokesperson about the Royal Bank of Scotland's introduction of third-party cooperation funds, and the answer was - "Bank of China only signed a shareholding agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland. How the other party raises funds is beyond the scope of Bank of China's disclosure."

Bank of China quite intends not to regard Merrill Lynch as a collaborator. It just so happens that Merrill Lynch may only be here for profits.

Fang Zhuo considered the signing between Bank of China and the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the signing between the Royal Bank of Scotland and Merrill Lynch and Li Jiacheng Fund, and believed that their transfer was probably due to the fact that the contract did not have restrictions on raising funds in this way, otherwise there would be no Merrill Lynch and Li Fund entered the market regardless of the feelings of Bank of China.

In this case, if the Soviet Union can sign with Merrill Lynch, can Merrill Lynch sign with other companies?

Although cooperation with banks is extremely profitable, it also requires a large amount of capital.

The investment with Bank of China has not yet been completed. If Merrill Lynch is persuaded to change hands to acquire the bank's shares again at this time, the "huge uncertainty" Paulson mentioned will be proven that night.

The shares of Bank of China have been transferred frequently in a short period of time. This situation is quite ugly.

But Merrill Lynch is all about profit. It doesn't need to invest money, it can just wave a contract and make a large profit from it, so why not?

Fang Zhuo has a way of piecing together fragmented information and always likes to put himself into consideration.

He told Paulson: "As long as Merrill Lynch's operations make Bank of China more unhappy, for example, if it continues to transfer out equity, Bank of China will probably be angered. At this time, with Goldman Sachs taking the initiative, the China Securities Regulatory Commission may not be able to call Stop the original cooperation.”

Paulson's expression finally changed, and he said with admiration: "Fang, your sensitivity and control are beyond my expectation."

Seeing this reaction, Fang Zhuo knew that there might be something wrong, and he was not too proud. He said: "Sharpness and control can't do anything. It's not easy to buy the acquisition rights from Merrill Lynch."

At the very least, the relationship must be cleared so as not to arouse Merrill Lynch's vigilance.

This is something that Fang Zhuo cannot do but Goldman Sachs can do.

Paulson shook the hand of the oriental man in front of him firmly and said with a smile: "Fang, it's a pity that you can't come to Goldman Sachs. Otherwise, I believe you will be an excellent decision-maker."

Fang Zhuo let go and responded: "If you can't be a decision-maker of Goldman Sachs, it's not bad to be a partner. I have always been grateful to Goldman Sachs for its support of ice core. This is also the beginning of our conversation here today."

"I hope the Bank of China can continue our cooperation." Paulson said for a time, "I will fly from the United States by mid-October at the latest."

In other words, he wanted to settle the matter with Merrill Lynch within half a month.

Fang Zhuo nodded, he had to take advantage of this time to raise more funds.

However, in addition to speculating on Paulson's actions, he suddenly wondered whether Paulson would bribe people within Merrill Lynch to help make decisions there.

Anyway, if I were, well, I definitely wouldn't be able to do this.

Zhang Hongli saw Paulson get in the car and knew that the two had finished their conversation. He walked over and asked tentatively: "Mr. Fang, are you giving Paulson advice on the Bank of China?"

Fang Zhuo shook his head: "No, just talking about time. In the next half month, wait and see."

Zhang Hongli was refreshed and said: "I'm going to Frankfurt to apply for funds from the headquarters."

In terms of investment in Bank of China, the scale of funds is much larger than that of ICBC. This time, United Bank and Mutual Bank were not included. If the proportion of Royal Bank of Su is followed, MIGA Fund and Deutsche Bank need to bear a share of 1.5 billion US dollars, 4.8% of the shares.

"Well, beat the slow with the fast." Fang Zhuo nodded. He also needed to raise funds.

This time, in addition to Zhou Xin's money, Su Wei's Yike stocks were also needed. He also needed to sell some stocks. In addition, MIGA Fund had to open another product, so that the funds could be barely gathered.

If everything goes well, it is equivalent to a three-year large fixed deposit in ICBC and Bank of China.

Although the future profits are considerable, this fixed deposit does have some sweet troubles, which will lock up some of the space for capital operation.

…

The first day of October.

Zhou Kaixuan, the director of the Li Jiacheng Foundation, flew from Hong Kong to Beijing. In addition to looking at a real estate project, she also needs to pay attention to the cooperation between the foundation and the bank.

Because the foundation signed a contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland, considering the emotions shown by the bank recently, Zhou Kaixuan persuaded Li Jiacheng to come to Beijing to meet the leaders of the Bank of China at an appropriate time, and use his status to appease his emotions.

"Mr. Zhou, when will Mr. Li come? Let's arrange another media interview." Meng Guanggui, another director of the foundation, asked Zhou Kaixuan.

"He will come when the funds are delivered, and I hope he will also attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the real estate." Zhou Kaixuan answered and then asked, "Is there any situation with the bank?"

Director Meng Guanggui shook his head: "Everything is going well."

Zhou Kaixuan thought for a while and asked again: "Are there any opportunities for cooperation with other banks?"

Meng Guanggui replied: "I'm afraid it's not easy. I heard that there are some changes in ICBC. Some people are saying that funds from the mainland have entered the market."

Zhou Kaixuan was a little surprised: "From the mainland? Who can it be?"

Meng Guanggui nodded and said: "It is said that it is Fang Zhuo, but I'm not sure if the news is accurate."

Zhou Kaixuan frowned and felt a little unlucky. Thanks to him, TOM.com failed to go public successfully. This matter has always made her hate it.

She said calmly: "Well, it has nothing to do with us."

Although ICBC is good, Bank of China is not bad either.

The Li Jiacheng Foundation has signed a contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Even if Bank of China is a little unhappy about this, the matter has been settled.