UPDATE 2-Dutch looking to sell Fortis NL assets to BNP-source
* BNP asked whether interested in Fortis NL assets -source
* EU deadline for ABN-Fortis NL merger remedy is Friday
* FinMin looking at ABN and Fortis assets for remedy
* BNP Paribas declines comment
(Recasts with source confirming possible sale to BNP)
AMSTERDAM, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The Netherlands is looking into options to sell Fortis Bank Nederland assets to French bank BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) as part of a merger remedy ordered by the European Commission, a source said on Tuesday.
Without an asset sale that would satisfy the EU the Dutch government cannot merge nationalised banks ABN AMRO [ABNNV.UL] and Fortis Bank Nederland [FORTH.UL].
The Dutch finance ministry has asked BNP Paribas, which announced a 4.3 billion euro capital increase on Tuesday to pay back state aid, whether it would be interested in buying Fortis Commercial Banking and Commercial Finance, a source close the negotiations said. [ID:nLT458563]
A possible deal between the Dutch finance ministry and BNP Paribas would be preliminary and announced through a letter of intent, the source said. Continued...
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