Allens has advised Cerberus Capital Management on the acquisition of Westpac's motor vehicle dealer finance and novated leasing business (Westpac Auto Business).
The Westpac Auto Business is one of Australia's largest auto finance businesses, writing approximately $4 billion in loans annually.
Angle Finance - a Cerberus Capital Management portfolio company - will acquire the automotive dealer and introducer agreements, together with wholesale dealer loans of approximately $1 billion, strategic alliance agreements with vehicle manufacturers, and novated lease origination capability and related agreements
The Allens team incorporated expertise from across the firm's practice groups to advise on all aspects of the acquisition, including M&A, banking and finance, regulatory, IT/separation, employment, competition, litigation and disputes, and FIRB clearance.
'Cerberus's acquisition is one of the largest private equity and capital market transactions in recent times,' said lead Partner Noah Obradovic.
'It is the latest significant transaction in our booming private equity market, and reflects the growing profile of non-bank lenders as financial services providers in Australia.
'The deal builds on a number of major transactions we have worked on for Cerberus (and its affiliates), including the proposed acquisition of Westpac's Strategic Alliances business and, most recently, on a funding partnership to provide up to $2 billion of whole-loan funding to Athena Home Loans.'
