(Reuters) - Non-Standard Finance Plc said on Monday it expected to reach an agreement to address concerns raised by Britain's competition watchdog during the first phase of the review process of its proposed hostile takeover of Provident Financial (LON:PFG) Plc.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said in February sub-prime lender Provident and smaller rival Non-Standard Finance (NSF) would have to hold off from integrating after any deal, to protect staff and customers while it considers the market impact of combining the subprime lenders.
"We fully expect to reach an agreement in principle on an appropriate remedy with the CMA during the initial Phase I review process," NSF said on Monday.
The CMA said in February it had served the companies with an initial enforcement order, put in place to prevent the businesses from integrating after a possible merger while the watchdog decides if it needs to launch an investigation.
"If the CMA's approval has not been received by the date on which all other conditions to the offer are satisfied, NSF will have a decision as to whether or not to waive the CMA condition and proceed to completion," NSF said on Monday.
NSF's 1.3 billion pound hostile bid for Provident Financial has turned into a bitter war of words between the two subprime lenders with NSF accusing Provident executives of mismanaging the company.
NSF said it was in the final stage of talks with the CMA as to when it could make a filing, adding it expects to be able to do so shortly, at which point the initial period for the CMA's first phase of review will begin.