AUSTRALIA'S WESTPAC THOUGHT TO BE EYEING NM ROTHSCHILD UNIT.

AsiaPulse News, January, 2002

SYDNEY, Jan 17 Asia Pulse - Westpac Banking Corp Ltd (ASX:WBC) has been tipped as one of a string of companies interested in a stake in NM Rothschild & Sons' $A10.5 billion ($US5.42 billion) Australian funds management business.

While Westpac refused to confirm reports it was looking at Rothschild Australia Asset Management, it is believed most major financial players had been approached to run their slide rules over the business.

However, industry sources said Westpac had yet to make up its mind on whether it would make a bid for the business, despite it having the potential to give a major boost to its funds management arm.

"We don't comment on market speculation," a Westpac spokesman said.

NM Rothschild & Sons revealed last month it was...