There is a European bank that is coveted by China. Indeed, at China Construction Bank (CCB), one of the leading lenders in the Asian country. The bank's chairman, Wan Hongzhang, said he has set aside around €16 billion to make a takeover in the European banking sector. In an interview with the Financial Times he declared that "some banks are up for sale in Europe and we are looking for a good opportunity".
The CCB is planning to take over the whole institution or a share between 30% and 50%. In any case, a purchase of this amount would represent the largest transaction made by a Chinese bank abroad. Wan Hongzhang did not want to indicate potential details, limiting himself to saying that the most interesting markets for the CCB are the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
