The Wall Street Journal reported the figure on the sale, which came
out on Monday in a Dutch daily, but without details. The Journal story
also said the deal consisted of 32 European companies and $450 million
in capital to be invested in future deals. The divestment
is part of the strategy by ABN's new owners Royal Bank of Scotland
Group plc, Fortis Bank SA/NV and Banco Santander SA to sell off the assets
from the bank they paid €72 billion ($113.3 billion) for last
year. - George White
