Exit whispers, deal deja vu & PE's IPO shopping spree

The past fortnight has felt like a full-blown drama at a private bank. While not everything appeared perfectly aligned between a key director and the bank’s chief, here's where it gets interesting.

According to a person privy to happenings in Mint Street, the final leg of the tussle reached the regulator earlier this year, with both heavyweights making their case in person. Those in the referee’s chair heard both sides out, but stopped short of stepping in, advising the two to resolve matters internally. So, it seems that everyone saw the fight coming. The only surprise was how fast things moved.

A private equity player named after an investment banking and brokerage firm, from which it spun off, is mulling the relaunch of a deal in the health solutions space. The transaction linked to a portfolio company was stalled earlier due to tariff tensions. A little birdie told us that both options may be on the table this time - a minority trade as well as a controlling stake sale. Several rival funds were eyeing the asset the last time around, but will the recent West Asia crisis play spoilsport?

The local IPO market has been hit hard by geopolitical strife, with multiple issue launches on hold, but buyout firms may play the role of knights in shining armour! Here's why! These funds are eagerly on the lookout for IPOs which are temporarily "broken" or deferred. And if the issuer firm has strong quality management and a pressing need to mop up capital, then cheques can be cut accordingly to address the gap. With PE firms also facing deployment pressure in some cases, it looks like a win-win scenario for now.