Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

Jul 27 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Tuesday:

* China’s insurance regulator has approved Sun Life Everbright’s proposals to raise funds and revamp its shareholding structure, the official Shanghai Securities News reported on Tuesday. [ID:nTOE66Q010]

* Google Inc (GOOG.O) has ended partnerships with two major Chinese advertisers, Universal Internet Media and Xi’an Weihua Network, China Daily quoted the firm’s China spokeswoman as saying on Tuesday. [ID:nTOE66P08L]

* Yahoo Japan Corp (4689.T), Japan’s largest Internet portal site, will likely adopt Google Inc’s (GOOG.O) search engine as part of an alliance between the two companies, media reported. [ID:nTOE66Q02W] (Compiled by Juhi Arora in Bangalore; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

Force Energy Corp.: Changes in Board of Directors and Officers

DENVER, COLORADO,, Jul 23 (MARKET WIRE) —
Force Energy Corp. (OTCBB: FORC)(FRANKFURT: FC2.F) (hereafter “Force”,
the “Company”), announces that Rahim Rayani resigned as president, chief
executive officer, chief financial officer and as a director of the
Company and that Tim DeHerrera has been appointed as president, chief
executive officer, chief financial officer and as a director to fill the
vacancies effective July 21, 2010.

Mr. DeHerrera has been president, chairman or on the board of directors
of several publicly traded and private entities during his career in
corporate finance. Most recently he was President of a public company and
he facilitated a successful merger of that company that closed in May
2010. Additionally, during the past several years he has been a
consultant to numerous companies in oil and gas exploration, technology
and credit card financing. Mr. DeHerrera has extensive experience in
investment banking, capital formation, capital restructures, private
placements, lender negotiations and overall business development.

There were no disagreements between Mr. Rayani, and the Company or the
Company’s board of directors on any matter relating to our company’s
operations, policies or practices. The Board of Directors would like to
take this opportunity to express their thanks to Mr. Rayani for his
advice and support during his time with the Company and wish him well as
he pursues new opportunities.

About Force Energy Corp.

Force Energy Corp. is an Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Company
based in Denver, CO with a focus on Wyoming. Using a geology-based
methodology, the US Geological Survey estimate a mean of 2.4 trillion
cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas and a mean of 41 million barrels
of undiscovered oil in the Wind River Basin Province of Wyoming. Force
Energy Corp. has acquired 75% working interest in the Diamond Springs
Prospect located within this prolific area. The Company’s shares are
publicly traded on the OTCBB under the ticker symbol FORC.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

FORCE ENERGY CORP.

Michael Mathot, Vice President Corporate Development

Contacts:
Force Energy Corp.
Michael Mathot
Vice President Corporate Development
1-877-436-8128
ir@forceenergycorp.com
www.forceenergycorp.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

July 22 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Friday:

* Spain’s Santander (SAN.MC) is preparing to list its UK operations on the London market as early as this autumn, the Financial Times said, in a deal that could raise an estimated 3 billion pounds ($4.55 billion) to fund growth by the bank. [ID:nLDE66L007]

* Paulson & Co, the hedge fund linked to civil fraud charges against Goldman Sachs (GS.N), will launch a new fund open to retail investors, the Financial Times said. [ID:nLDE66L00M] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

July 20 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Tuesday:

* Hoare Govett, the Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS.L) corporate brokering business, has won its first FTSE100 client since it was bought by RBS from ABN Amro three years ago, the Financial Times said on Tuesday. [ID:nLDE66J00H]

* AIA, the Asian life insurance unit of American International Group (AIG.N), is seeking backing from potential investors to cut ties with its U.S. parent by listing more than half its equity in the Hong Kong market, the Financial Times said. [ID:nLDE66J00D]

* Kumba Iron Ore (KIOJ.J) may look for other domestic buyers to take extra ore if ArcelorMittal’s South African unit (ISPA.AS) shuts down one of its plants, Business Report newspaper said. [ID:nLDE66I0NM]

* India’s Tata Steel (TISC.BO) has started talks with lenders including Citigroup (C.N) to refinance as much as 3.5 billion pounds ($5.4 billion ) in loans for its British unit, Bloomberg reported, citing six sources with knowledge of the matter. [ID:nSGE66I0LK] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera)

UPDATE 1-Deutsche Bank names head of Asia corporate finance

HONG KONG, July 18 (Reuters) – Deutsche Bank has appointed Henry Cai, a former top UBS deal maker, as its head of corporate finance in Asia, in a widely expected move, as banks in the region go on an aggressive hiring spree in anticipation of a strong pick up in mergers and acquisition.

Cai had resigned as Swiss bank UBS’s chairman of Asia investment banking and head of investment banking for China earlier this month.

Since his departure from UBS, speculation was rife that Cai was headed to Deutsche Bank to work closely with former colleague Robert Rankin.

Cai has been with UBS since March 2006 when he joined from BNP Paribas, initially as chairman of investment banking for China.

He has played a big role in increasing the firm’s China business. He will join Deutsche Bank’s Asia Pacific executive committee and would report to Rankin, Deutsche said in the statement. Cai will be based in Hong Kong.

Rankin left his role as UBS’s Asia Pacific head of investment banking last year to be Deutsche Bank’s Asia Pacific CEO.

Cai was closely involved in many of the first wave of Chinese enterprises to be listed on the Hong Kong H-share market and U.S. stock exchanges, including Shanghai Petrochemical, Tsingtao Beer, Deutsche Bank said.

According to sources, Cai played a key role in relationships and transactions with Bank of China, China Merchants Bank 968.HK Sinopharm 099.HKand automaker BYD 211.HK.

Following Cai’s departure, UBS had reshuffled the top ranks of its China investment banking business, a group that has served as a key source of strength for the Swiss bank’s regional operations. It named David Chin, the Asia-Pacific co-head of investment banking, as the interim head of China investment banking.

(Reporting by Denny Thomas; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher)

Deutsche Bank names head of Asia corporate finance

July 18 (Reuters) – Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) said on Sunday it had appointed Henry Cai as its head of corporate finance Asia and the head of corporate and investment banking China.

Cai had resigned as UBS’s chairman of Asia investment banking and head of investment banking for China earlier this month.

Since then speculation has been rife that Cai was headed to Deutsche Bank.

(Reporting by Denny Thomas; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

July 15 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

* Top Chinese automaker SAIC Motor Corp (600104.SS) might continue to slash its holdings in troubled South Korean carmaker Ssangyong Motor (003620.KS), the China Business News said on Thursday. [ID:nTOE66E01D]

* India’s Reliance Communications (RLCM.BO) may have to lower the value of its tower assets being sold to GTL Infrastructure (GTLI.BO) in view of a likely stake sale in the No. 2 Indian mobile operator to Abu Dhabi’s Etisalat (ETEL.AD), the Economic Times reported. [ID:nSGE66E03H]

* Financial services firm Religare Enterprises Ltd (RELG.BO) has agreed to buy a part of Citigroup’s (C.N) home loan portfolio in India for nearly 5 billion rupees ($107 million), the Economic Times said. [ID:nSGE66E04X]

* U.S. investor York Capital is seeking a stake in Germany’s Conergy (CGYG.DE) by taking over loans to the solar company which at a later stage will be converted into Conergy shares, German paper Handelsblatt said on Wednesday. [ID:nLDE66D1X1]

* American International Group Inc (AIG.N) has floated a plan to partially pay down its U.S. bailout debt by selling stakes in two entities that were created to take toxic assets off its books, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. [ID:nN14131409] (Compiled by Anirban Sen in Bangalore)

EDB Business Partner ASA: New CFO for EDB

(Oslo, 12 July 2010) EDB Business Partner ASA has appointed Jon A. Elde (41) as its new
Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr Elde will take up his appointment no later than 1
November 2010. Elde is also proposed as CFO for the combined company EDB ErgoGroup ASA.

Jon A. Elde is currently CFO of GTB Invest ASA. He has previously worked as the CFO of
Ringnes, part of the Carlsberg Group, and in corporate development in Orkla and
corporate finance KPMG. Elde holds a MBA from Manchester Business School and a BSc from
the University of Southern California.

“The appointment of Jon A. Elde gives both EDB and the combination EDB ErgoGroup ASA an
experienced CFO with a background in both industrial and financial activities as well as
experience from working for a large international group”, comments acting CEO John-Arne
Haugerud.

Vidar Nysæther is appointed as acting CFO until Mr Elde takes up his appointment.

Any questions may be addressed to:

John-Arne Haugerud, Acting CEO EDB. Tel: + 47 22 77 21 01
Jon A. Elde. Tel: + 47 93201690

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian
Securities Trading Act)

EURO BONDS-BAT dual tranche bond

June 25 (Reuters) – News, details on corporate bond issues in the European markets on Friday:

Stocks | Bonds | Global Markets

BAT (BATS.L)

Issue: Cigarette maker British American Tobacco is selling a dual-tranche bond, an official with one of the banks managing the sale said. The deal comprises a 10-year 600 million euro bond and a 30-year 275 million pound bond.

Managing banks: BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, JP Morgan, Lloyds.

Rating: Moody’s Baa1, S&P BBB+ and Fitch BBB+

(London Corporate Finance: +44 207 542 8389)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

June 24 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

Stocks | Mergers & Acquisitions | Global Markets | Funds News | ETFs News | Private Capital | Financials

* Textiles and apparels maker Raymond Ltd (RYMD.BO) has decided to pull out of its home retail business, after operating the multi branded stores for two years, DNA Money said on Thursday. [ID:nSGE65N02G]

* India’s Tata Motors (TAMO.BO) is likely to raise up to 25 billion rupees ($541 million) to pare debt and improve debt to equity ratio, the Economic Times reported on Thursday. [ID:nSGE65N01W]

* Providence Equity Partners is in preliminary talks with toy maker Hasbro Inc (HAS.N) to take the company private in a leveraged buyout, the Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the situation. [ID:nN23262311] (Compiled by Aditi Samajpati in Bangalore)

EURO BONDS-Europcar plans 7-year senior secured bond

Mandate: The car rental firm is planning a 7-year 250 million euro senior secured note, callable after 4 years, according to two sources familiar with the deal. A roadshow is planned for June 22-24.

Managing banks: JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank

Expected ratings: Moody’s B2, S&P B+

(London Corporate Finance: +44 207 542 8389)

UPDATE 1-Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

June 22 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Tuesday:

* Indian group Reliance Industries (RELI.BO) was close to announcing a deal to pay $1.35 billion for a stake in a Texas shale gas field controlled by Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD.N), the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. [ID:nSGE65L079]

* Reliance Industries, which has agreed to buy Infotel Broadband, is in initial talks with MTNL (MTNL.BO) to market the state-run firm’s 3G services as a franchisee, the Financial Express reported without citing any source on Tuesday. [ID:nSGE65L03K]

* U.S. film studio Spyglass Entertainment has emerged as the leading contender to run debt-ridden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. [ID:nSGE65L066]

* Spanish bank Banco Santander (SAN.MC) is trying to revive talks to merge its U.S. operations with M&T Bank Corp (MTB.N) after initial discussions fell apart last month over an issue of control, Bloomberg said on Monday. [ID:nN21259474]

(Compiled by Aditi Samajpati in Bangalore; Editing by Dan Lalor)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

June 10 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

Energy

* Reliance Industries (RELI.BO), India’s biggest listed company, is looking to enter the telecoms market when the opportunity arises, with a focus on selling phone and Internet services to companies, the Economic Times reported on Thursday, citing two unnamed sources. [ID:nSGE65903K]

* China Mobile (0941.HK) will invest 20 million yuan ($2.93 million) to become a strategic investor in the People’s Daily Online, a government-backed online news platform planning a mainland listing, the Wen Wei Po reported on Thursday, citing mainland media reports. [ID:nTOE65900N]

* Japanese consumer lender Promise (8574.T) is planning to enter the mainland China market next month, seeking growth overseas after the firm and its rivals were hit by tighter regulations at home, the Mainichi daily newspaper reported on Thursday. [ID:nTOE65808F] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera)

Houlihan Lokey Announces Officer-Level Promotions

LOS ANGELES–(Business Wire)–
Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, has announced the following
promotions:

Senior Managing Directors

* Anita Antenucci – Corporate Finance
* Bill Peluchiwski – Corporate Finance
* Sandy Purcell – Financial Advisory Services

Managing Directors

* Gary Brewster – Financial Advisory Services
* Mark Goldman – Financial Sponsors Coverage
* Steve Hughes – Corporate Finance
* Brad Jordan – Financial Restructuring
* Niklas Lerche – Financial Restructuring
* Matthew Mazzucchi – Financial Restructuring
* Karen Miles – Financial Advisory Services
* Derek Pitts – Financial Restructuring
* Stephen Spencer – Financial Restructuring

Directors

* Jeffrey Arnesen – Financial Sponsors Coverage
* Christina Carroll – Financial Advisory Services
* Kushal Kapadia – Corporate Finance
* Manuel Martinez-Fidalgo – Financial Restructuring
* Ann Miller – Financial Restructuring
* Andrew Morrow – Financial Restructuring
* Rit Amin – Corporate Finance
* Robert Rosenberg – Financial Advisory Services
* Reid Snellenbarger – Financial Restructuring
* Setch Subudhayangkul – Corporate Finance

Senior Vice Presidents

* Scott Alford – Corporate Finance
* Helen Cheng – Financial Advisory Services
* Chris Foley – Financial Restructuring
* Dan Gissinger – Financial Restructuring
* Nickolay Ivin – Financial Advisory Services
* Scott Jackson – Financial Restructuring
* Michael Jenny – Corporate Finance
* Matthew Kaczmarek – Corporate Finance
* Jason Price – Corporate Finance
* Matthew Ryan – Corporate Finance
* David Salemi – Financial Restructuring
* Thomas Seward – Financial Restructuring
* John Song- Corporate Finance
* Terry Treemarcki – Financial Advisory Services
* Andrew Walter – Corporate Finance
* Malte Wulfetange – Financial Restructuring

Vice Presidents

* Hamadi Ben Mustapha – Corporate Finance
* Matthew Bowersox – Corporate Finance
* Alexander Clinton – Financial Advisory Services
* Nathan Court – Financial Restructuring
* Kinga Elo – Financial Advisory Services
* Kevin Hou – Financial Advisory Services
* Andrew MacNamara – Financial Advisory Services
* Daniel Mallegni – Corporate Finance
* Michael McDermott – Financial Advisory Services
* Michael Morabito – Corporate Finance
* Daniel O’Donnell – Financial Advisory Services
* Michael Pisani – Corporate Finance
* Alexey Raskin – Financial Restructuring
* Arun Reddy – Financial Restructuring
* Youmna Salameh – Financial Advisory Services

“Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on these well-deserved
promotions,” said Scott Beiser, co-Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lokey.
“They have all distinguished themselves in personally enhancing our franchise
value through their hard work and stellar performance.”

About Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey is an international investment bank with expertise in mergers and
acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation. The firm
is ranked globally as the No. 1 restructuring advisor, the No. 1 M&A fairness
opinion advisor over the past 10 years, and the No. 1 M&A advisor for U.S.
transactions under $3 billion, according to Thomson Reuters. Houlihan Lokey has
14 offices and more than 800 employees in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The firm serves more than 1,000 clients each year, ranging from closely held
companies to Global 500 corporations. For more information, visit www.HL.com.

Houlihan Lokey
Michael Utley, 310-789-5765
MUtley@HL.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

June 8 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Tuesday:

Energy

* Agricultural Bank of China [ABC.UL], China’s third-largest bank, is set to price shares for its planned initial public offering at 2.50 to 2.60 yuan each, the 21st Century Business Herald reported on Tuesday. [ID:nTOE65701M]

* British oil explorer Rockhopper (RKH.L) is looking to raise 40 million pounds to fund further testing of its closely watched Sea Lion oil find in the Falkland Islands, the Financial Times reported in its Tuesday edition. [ID:nLDE6562GN] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera)

Foundation Resources Closes Brokered Equity Financing for $2.2 Million

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jun 04 (MARKET WIRE) —
Foundation Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: FDN) is pleased to announce that
it has closed its previously announced brokered equity financing. The
Company closed a brokered private placement through a syndicate of agents
led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and including Fraser Mackenzie Limited
(collectively, the “Agents”) to sell 4,765,000 flow through
units (the “FT Units”) at a price of $0.42 per FT Unit and
510,000 non-flow-through units (the “Units”) at a price of
$0.35 per Unit for combined gross proceeds of $2,179,800.

The FT Units consist of one flow-through common share of the Company and
one-half of one common share purchase warrant. The Units consist of one
common share of the Company and one purchase warrant. Each whole warrant
is exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $0.50
per share for a period of 18 months.

The Agents received a cash fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds from the
brokered private placement and broker warrants entitling the Agents to
subscribe for 369,250 Units. Each broker warrant is exercisable for one
Unit, for 18 months from closing, at an exercise price of $0.35 per Unit.
The Agent also received a corporate finance fee of $25,000 payable
through the issuance of 71,249 Units.

All securities issued pursuant to the financing will be subject to a four
month hold period expiring on October 5, 2010.

The funds raised from the issuance of the FT Units will be used for
expenditures which will qualify as Canadian exploration expenses and
flow-through mining expenditures (as defined in the Income Tax Act) and
will be renounced in favour of purchasers for 2010. Funds raised from the
issuance of the Units will be used to develop the Company’s assets and
for general working capital purposes.

About Foundation Resources Inc.:

Foundation is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration and
development of high potential gold properties in Canada and Mexico. Its
Coldstream Property is located in the Western Superior geological
province of the Canadian Shield, which is noted for hosting prolific gold
deposits in Ontario, Canada. The San Rafael property is located
approximately 150km northwest of Durango in the Durango State, Mexico.

On behalf of the board,

Paul Chung, President

This News release contains certain “Forward-Looking Statements”
within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on
numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and
uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including risks
inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual
results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements.

CUSIP: # 350476107

ISIN CA3504761071

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
Rain Communications
Nelson Da Silva
604-648-0523 (direct)

Rain Communications
Ralph Biggar
604-306-2525 (direct)

Foundation Resources Inc.
Voice: (604) 687-7551
1-800-667-4470
(604) 687-4670 (FAX)
info@foundationres.com
www.foundationres.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

“U.S. Restaurant Industry Update” Featured on CIT`s “Executive Spotlight” Series

NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–
Fast-casual restaurants and large chains are positioned for growth and
investment, while traditional casual restaurants and smaller chains face a more
challenging financial picture, according to Bob Bielinski, Managing Director,
Corporate Finance – Restaurant Industry Practice for CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT),
a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies.
This is just one of the insights Bielinski offers in “U.S. Restaurant Industry
Update,”the latest in a series of in-depth executive Q&As featured in CIT`s
“Executive Spotlight” series (http://executive-spotlight.cit.com).

Bielinski explains the restaurant industry`s important role in the U.S. economy,
saying, “On any given day, more than 130 million people are served by the
foodservice industry in America. Restaurant industry jobs are critical entry
level positions and provided a first job for more than 25% of adults in America.
According to the National Restaurant Association, the industry employs
approximately 12.7 million people or 9% of the U.S. workforce.”

He goes on to identify which restaurant concepts are finding it easiest to
obtain capital, noting, “Fast-casual brands have not had a problem raising
capital, as long as the type of capital (debt or equity) is appropriate for the
company`s stage of development. I think that consumers are looking for higher
quality product and more convenience in their lives; thus the rise of
fast-casual concepts. There are many chains in the fast-casual space that have
tremendous growth potential and several larger ones with enough stores to
provide assurance to lenders of getting repaid.”

Individuals interested in receiving future updates on CIT via e-mail can
register at http://newsalerts.cit.com

About CIT

Founded in 1908 and headquartered in New York City, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a bank
holding company with approximately $45 billion in finance and leasing assets
that provides financial products and advisory services to small and middle
market businesses. Operating in more than 50 countries across 30 industries, CIT
provides an unparalleled combination of relationship, intellectual, and
financial capital to its customers worldwide. CIT maintains leadership positions
in small business and middle market lending, factoring, retail finance,
aerospace, equipment and rail leasing, and vendor finance. www.cit.com

CIT MEDIA RELATIONS:
C. Curtis Ritter, 212-461-7711
Vice President
Director of External Communications & Media Relations
Curt.Ritter@cit.com
or
CIT INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Ken Brause, 212-771-9650
Executive Vice President
Ken.Brause@cit.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, April 12 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Monday:

Non-Cyclical Consumer Goods

* Clorox Co (CLX.N) is weighing the sale of its two automotive brands, STP and Armor All, according to The Wall Street Journal. [ID:nN09254896]

* The founder of Virgin Group (VGIAY.PK), Richard Branson, has slammed the European Commission’s handling of a proposed tie-up between British Airways (BAY.L) and American Airlines (AMR.N) in an interview published by the Financial Times on Monday. [ID:nLDE63A0N7]

* Smartphone maker Palm Inc (PALM.O) is looking to sell itself and is seeking bids for the company as early as this week, Bloomberg said, citing three people familiar with the situation. [ID:nSGE63B03J] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, April 8 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

Financials

* Essar Energy may launch as early as next week an initial public offering to raise $2.5 billion in London in the biggest ever IPO by an Indian company, the Economic Times reported. [ID:nSGE63702X]

* Greeting cards retailer Card Factory is on the verge of a 350 million pounds sale to private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners [CHCAP.UL], the Times reported in its Thursday edition. [IDnLDE636294]

* The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will drop a lawsuit alleging Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) charged excessive rates to African-Americans who took out subprime mortgages, the Wall Street Journal reported. [ID:nN07151978]

* Hospital chain HCA Inc is preparing an initial public offering that may raise $3 billion, and plans to interview banks to underwrite the sale in the coming weeks, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. [ID:nN07145662] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore)

Market Chatter — Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, April 8 (Reuters) – The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:

Financials

* Essar Energy may launch as early as next week an initial public offering to raise $2.5 billion in London in the biggest ever IPO by an Indian company, the Economic Times reported. [ID:nSGE63702X]

* Greeting cards retailer Card Factory is on the verge of a 350 million pounds sale to private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners [CHCAP.UL], the Times reported in its Thursday edition. [IDnLDE636294]

* The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will drop a lawsuit alleging Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) charged excessive rates to African-Americans who took out subprime mortgages, the Wall Street Journal reported. [ID:nN07151978]

* Hospital chain HCA Inc is preparing an initial public offering that may raise $3 billion, and plans to interview banks to underwrite the sale in the coming weeks, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. [ID:nN07145662] (Compiled by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore)