Hong Leong's offer for EON Cap too low

EON's independent financial adviser Credit Suisse's statement left lender's board in dilemma.

Credit Suisse Securities (M) Sdn Bhd has deemed Hong Leong Bank Bhd's (HLB) offer price for the assets and liabilities of EON Capital Bhd (EON Cap) too low.

This has put the board of directors of EON Cap in a quandary, sources said. EON Cap's board met on Monday to discuss Credit Suisse's opinion on the offer.

The board had requested for its shares to be suspended from trading, pending an announcement related to the offer.

EON Cap said late Monday evening that its board meeting had been adjourned "pending further clarification from independent financial adviser Credit Suisse."

But a party familiar with the deal said with Credit Suisse telling the board that the offer was too low, the board has been put in a tough spot as to what to tell shareholders.

"The board had already said it was going to present the offer to shareholders. Does it now also tell shareholders not to accept the offer?" Sources say the situation is tenuous because HLB has no intention of raising its bid.

View the full story in the Star.