Linklaters has advised Tokyo Stock Exchange listed  Japanese financial institution, J. Trust Co. Ltd (“J Trust”), as international counsel on the acquisition of Indonesia’s PT Bank Mutiara Tbk for USD 373m; an example of the continuing desire by foreign investors to tap the rising demand for retail finance in SE Asia’s largest economy.

The sale is unique as it is exempt from the 40 percent cap on foreign ownership of commercial banks in Indonesia and is the culmination of a bidding process that began earlier this year. Previously known as Bank Century, Bank Mutiara was taken over by the Indonesian government during the global financial crisis in 2008 and has since been run by the Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation, or Lembaga Penjamin Simpanan (LPS). The bank restructured its business under LPS' supervision and the state agency subsequently started a public bidding process to sell its interest in the lender.

This novel and complex transaction required specialist input from Linklaters’ leading Indonesian corporate practice and was led by partner William Kirschner in Singapore assisted by Linklaters’ alliance partner, Widyawan & Partners, in Jakarta.
 
Commenting on the transaction, Mr Kirschner said:
 
“This transaction represents another exciting chapter for the banking sector in Indonesia. We are delighted to have worked with J Trust on yet another landmark transaction in the region. J Trust’s acquisition of PT Bank Mutiara Tbk represents the latest in a long line of bank M&A transactions on which we have advised dating back to 2002, when we advised a bidder on every Indonesian bank privatisation following the Asian financial crisis.”