After the young man who spoke first finished his seductive words, he changed a color to the middle-aged man wearing a dark blue suit next to him!
"Of course not!" the understanding middle-aged man said quickly, "We, the Durant family, will never give up on Daewoo Motors. Obtaining it will make our General Group become the world's largest automobile company!"
"Mr. Fernandez, are you willing to give up the victory you are about to win?"
"Of course I don't want to give up!" A middle-aged black man wearing a black suit with a serious expression raised his head and said.`
“However, Standard Chartered must belong to Santander!”
"Standard Chartered's UK and Asian businesses can be ceded to Santander, but its businesses in the Americas and Africa must be ceded to Citibank. Mr. Fernandez, it's not just you who want a controlling stake in Santander, we
The Stillman family also wants to get a controlling stake in Citibank!" Robert Stillman said solemnly.
"Okay! But I hope this can be completed as soon as possible!" Fernandez nodded.
After acquiring Abbey National Bank, Standard Chartered's standard market capitalization exceeds 100 billion US dollars, which is not something that Santander alone can swallow.
"certainly!"
After nodding his head with a smile, Rofit Stillman shouted to everyone present: "Everyone, victory is right in front of us. We only need to wait for another two or three months. I guarantee that among us
Everyone will receive a huge asset of no less than 5 billion US dollars. This is a sumptuous dinner given to us by God, let us drink to a better future!"
"cheers!"
…
After returning from Chateau Bouygues to the villa he had just moved into, Cui Dongchen took the initiative to greet him, "Chairman, this is the invitation letter we just received!"
"Invitation letter? Whose is it?"
"Phillips Auction House, they hope you can participate in the auction to be held at Christie's Hotel tomorrow night!" Cui Dongchen said quickly.`
"Auction?" After taking the invitation and looking at it, Liu Dong nodded, "They are quite well informed. They actually knew that I came to France! ... By the way, are there any exhibits on display?"
"Yes. I just put it in the living room. I'll get it for you right now."
"No, I can just look at it myself! You go call Sally and ask her to come over!"
"Yes, Chairman!" Cui Dongchen looked moved and quickly turned around and left!
After taking Helen back to the living room, Liu Dong naturally saw the auction catalog placed on the glass coffee table. He briefly glanced at it and saw that it was not a special exhibition of abstract and minimalist works. Liu Dong was very interested in this auction.
There was some interest in the auction.
"Hey, the shipwreck!"
At the end of the auction catalog, Liu Dong saw a somewhat mottled sunken ship that had been corroded by sea water on the color page marked with the finale in red letters.
This ship is not that big, with only one mast in the center, and judging from its thickness, it only has two floors of cabins at most. Judging from the style of the ship, this is obviously a single-layer merchant ship that was popular in the Mediterranean region before BC.
"interesting!"
Seeing the interest on Liu Dong's face, Helen couldn't help but said: "Are you going to attend the auction tonight?"
"It's okay to have time anyway, so why don't you go?"
"I knew you would say that! Okay, just sit down and I'll go up and get ready!"
"Prepare? It's just before two o'clock, it's still early for the auction to start!"
But Helen turned a deaf ear to Liu Dong's words. After waving her delicate white hands behind her back, she stepped up to the bedroom on the second floor.
Seeing this, Liu Dong shook his head slightly and continued to flip through the auction catalog on the table. After waiting for more than half an hour, Sally Krawcheck hurried in under the guidance of Cui Dongchen.
"Chairman, you are looking for me!"
"Yes, sit down!" He put down the auction catalog and waved Sally to sit down.`
After the waiter next to him served tea, Liu Dong said: "I have already talked with Martin Bouygues, and he promised to sell 21% of his shares in Abbey National Bank to us!"
"This is great!"
After taking a look at Sally, who was a little excited, Liu Dong nodded, "I have almost discussed the general conditions with him. Tomorrow, you and Cui Dongchen will go to discuss the remaining details with him! By the way,
The contract is signed!”
"Chairman, contract details...!"
"Actually, there are no details. I have already negotiated the acquisition funds with him. You just need to try your best to sign the contract as early as possible!" Liu Dong did not talk about the art donation and the exchange of interests in Yanjiao New City.
"Also, Sally! After the contract signing is completed, we will immediately exercise our controlling rights and merge Abbey National Bank into Standard Chartered Bank. Unify the administration and management of the two banks, as well as the subordinate departments, and get on the right track as soon as possible!
"
"Yes. Chairman!"
"Okay, there are so many things that need to be explained, do you two have anything else to do?"
"No more, Chairman!" Sally Krawcheck shook her head.
"No, let's leave!"
After Sally Krawcheck left, Cui Dongchen did not leave.
"What's the matter?" Liu Dong asked, looking at the hesitation on the other person's face.
"Chairman, I have been paying attention to the operating conditions of Standard Chartered Bank these days, and I have found some doubts. I don't know whether to take it seriously?"
"It doesn't matter, just tell me! I think I still have basic judgment!"
After nodding, Cui Dongchen continued: "I have seen the investment status of Standard Chartered Bank. Since March this year, the bank's loans have increased by 6 percentage points than before, reaching almost 6 billion US dollars. If it grows at this rate,
, Standard Chartered Bank’s loan limit will reach US$17.8 billion this year!”
“Also, the investment scope of Standard Chartered Bank is more concentrated than before. In the past half year, Standard Chartered Bank’s investment department has invested in four companies: Apple, Starwood Group, Hasbro Group and Wei Semiconductor.
Investment reached US$1.2976 billion, accounting for 128%, 356%, 139% and 289% of the shares of these four companies respectively."
"What's wrong with these four companies?" Liu Dong frowned.
"There is no problem. These four companies are leaders in the IT industry, hotel industry and toy industry. However, from an investment point of view, excessive concentration of shares is very risky!"
"In addition, large-scale loans and investments have caused Standard Chartered Bank's debt ratio to exceed 70%, and its capital structure has become extremely fragile. If it encounters a run and cannot receive a large amount of external capital injection, then Standard Chartered Bank will
It is very likely that the collapse of Barings Bank will happen again!" Cui Dongchen said with a serious expression.
Liu Dong is very aware of Standard Chartered's problems. In fact, in addition to the difficulties mentioned by Cui Dongchen just now, the remaining US$2 billion loan for his acquisition of Daewoo Group was also provided by Standard Chartered Bank.
After being silent for a while and thinking for a long time, Liu Dong suddenly raised his head and said seriously: "Cui Dongchen, now I appoint you as the vice president of Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for the bank's investment department. Your task is to turn Standard Chartered Bank into a new one within a month.
All funds in the stock and investment markets are being withdrawn. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Chairman! But where is President Krawcheck?"
"Sally, I will tell her! Besides, there are too many things to do about the merger and acquisition of Abbey National Bank. Her energy is limited, and she needs someone to share it with her!"
Seeing Liu Dong's indifferent expression, Cui Dongchen nodded solemnly.
After seeing him off, Liu Dong stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the living room and looked at the flowers and trees blooming in the wind under the bright sun. A look of deep thought appeared on his expressionless face.
…
Nightlife in Paris often starts at 6pm in October!
The brightly lit Opera Hilton Hotel on Avenue Haussmann in the 8th arrondissement of Paris is the focus of the feasting. Because it is only one street away from the famous Champs Elysées, many tourists choose to stay here after coming to Paris.
Stay.
However, today, the Hilton Hotel is not welcoming a large number of tourists from all over the world. Instead, it is a group of successful people in suits and ties, as well as charming socialites wearing evening gowns!
"Sir, Madam, this is your invitation, please come in!"
After checking the invitation letters of Liu Dong and Helen, the hotel security respectfully welcomed them in.
The Hilton Opera Hotel has the most prestigious and classical exhibition space in Paris, and is the best choice for hosting auctions such as Sotheby's and Christie's.
Therefore, the famous European Philips auction house also chose this place!
“It’s really nice here!”
When he walked into the auction hall under the guidance of the waiter, Liu Dong admired the Greek and Roman style sculptures on the surrounding window lattice and walls, as well as the slightly old solid wood seats, as well as the auction hall with a length of more than 60 meters.
nodded.
"Of course it's good! This is one of the most prestigious hotels in Paris suitable for holding auctions!" After a pause, Helen took Liu Dong's hand and walked forward quickly, "Let's hurry up, the auction will be held soon.
here we go!"
But when the two of them took the bidding signs and walked to the seats assigned to them at the auction, the person sitting next to them was actually an acquaintance.
"Mr. Bouygues, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon!" Liu Dong stretched out his right hand towards the other party in surprise.
"Yeah, I didn't expect that either!" After holding Liu Dong's hand and shaking his head, "It seems that Mr. Liu and I are really destined!"
"Indeed!"
After a brief greeting, several people sat down quickly.
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ps: Thanks to the book friend "Soul Fighting Soul" for the reward support of 27oo starting coins, and congratulations to the book friend "Soul Fighting Soul" for becoming the second master of this book, so Dongren specially added a chapter to express his gratitude.