M and A
Lloyds TSB Regains Appetite for Acquisition

Lloyds TSB, the UK's fourth biggest commercial bank, could return to the acquisition trail to take advantage of banks under fire. It could target further expansion of wealth management or corporate banking businesses in Europe, said Reuters. Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley could also be targets in the UK. Chief executive Eric Daniels declined to tell shareholders at the bank's annual results whether Lloyds TSB had any specific targets but said that uncertain markets had increased opportunities by knocking valuations across the sector. He would consider deals. Until its failed bid for troubled lender Northern Rock last year, the bank had not been active in the M&A market since buying life insurer Scottish Widows in 2000.