This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/dec/13/nbnk-stake-private-equity-tycoon

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
£8m NBNK stake snapped up by US private-equity tycoon £8m NBNK stake snapped up by US private-equity tycoon
(about 7 hours later)
The US private-equity backer and billionaire Wilbur Ross (below) has bought a stake in the acquisition vehicle NBNK, which has tried unsuccessfully to buy bank branches put up for sale by bailed-out institutions. The US private-equity backer and billionaire Wilbur Ross has bought a stake in the acquisition vehicle NBNK, which has tried unsuccessfully to buy bank branches put up for sale by bailed-out institutions.
The £8m investment in NBNK by the major backer of Virgin Money came hours before the 5pm deadline on Thursday set by Royal Bank of Scotland for the 316 branches it is being forced to sell by Brussels in return for its £45bn taxpayer bailout.The £8m investment in NBNK by the major backer of Virgin Money came hours before the 5pm deadline on Thursday set by Royal Bank of Scotland for the 316 branches it is being forced to sell by Brussels in return for its £45bn taxpayer bailout.
Virgin Money is thought to be among those to have expressed an interest in branches, along with the venture capitalists JC Flowers, Nationwide building society and the private equity company AnaCap.Virgin Money is thought to be among those to have expressed an interest in branches, along with the venture capitalists JC Flowers, Nationwide building society and the private equity company AnaCap.
RBS had hoped to sell the branches to Santander but the Spanish bank pulled out in October.RBS had hoped to sell the branches to Santander but the Spanish bank pulled out in October.
There was speculation NBNK could be used as a way for Virgin Money to gain a stock market listing if it was successful in bidding for the RBS branches up for sale. The decision by Ross to invest in NBNK means it will no longer be wound up and can renew its search for possible acquisitions.There was speculation NBNK could be used as a way for Virgin Money to gain a stock market listing if it was successful in bidding for the RBS branches up for sale. The decision by Ross to invest in NBNK means it will no longer be wound up and can renew its search for possible acquisitions.
Ross will be become chairman, replacing Lord Levene, a former Lloyd's of London chairman, while the chief executive, Gary Hoffman, who became chief executive of the Hastings insurance group last month, will also leave.Ross will be become chairman, replacing Lord Levene, a former Lloyd's of London chairman, while the chief executive, Gary Hoffman, who became chief executive of the Hastings insurance group last month, will also leave.