SCB shares at 25-month high on news

SCB shares at 25-month high on news

Stock price jumps almost 20% in morning session

A Sima Commercial Bank branch in Bang Kapi, Bangkok, on Aug 17 this year. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)
A Sima Commercial Bank branch in Bang Kapi, Bangkok, on Aug 17 this year. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)

Siam Commercial Bank saw its share price reach a 25-month high after markets opened on Thursday, following its announcement of a major restructuring plan and new venture capital fund with Charoen Pokphand Group.

The third-largest lender by assets announced on Wednesday it would establish SCBX as a parent company through a 1:1 share swap.

SCBX would replace SCB as the listed entity and a one-time dividend payment of 70 billion baht would be issued to SCBX to finance the business transfer, new investments and as payment to shareholders.

The share price rose by 18.72% or 20.50 baht to close at 130 baht in trade worth 21.2 billion baht on Thursday after peaking at 137 baht in morning trade . The main Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed up 0.71%.

The share swap is contingent on shareholder and regulatory approval. It plans to delist SCB in February next year.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn is the bank's largest shareholder with a 23.4% stake.

The bank also announced a venture capital fund with size of up to $800 million, to be managed with local food conglomerate, Charoen Pokphand Group, to invest in blockchain technology and digital assets.

SCBX would hold shares in more than 16 businesses, including auto loans, credit card, AI-based lending and food delivery.

It aims to have 200 million customers by 2025 in the region and reach market capitalisation of 1 trillion baht from 372 billion baht.

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