ORIX CORP, Macquarie Group Limited Lead Bidders For Robeco-Reuters

Reuters reported that Japanese financial services firm ORIX CORP and Australian bank Macquarie Group Limited have emerged as leading candidates to buy the asset management arm of Dutch bank Rabobank, Robeco. The Netherlands' retail bank also received bids from a private equity consortium of Advent International Corp and CVC Capital Partners, as well as Boston-based asset manager AMG Inc partnered with buyout firm Permira, Reuters previously reported. Orix and Macquarie are leading the race after bidding for the whole of Robeco, which is expected to fetch more than 2 billion euros ($2.59 billion). Rabobank has yet to decide which party to sell the business to, and may still pursue a deal with another buyer, the people cautioned, adding that AMG and Permira m a y still be in the running.