Therefore if the combination does not maintain or increase the shareholder value post acquisition then the share price may be affected. The company must also bear in mind that shareholders may consist of internal stakeholders as well as external stakeholders i.e.: employees. Such stakeholders may be concerned about job cuts caused by a business combination so may oppose the merger. When the HBOS merger was announced both banks called EGM's to keep their shareholders informed, in the hope of seeking their approval. The ordinary shareholders of Bank of Scotland voted 95.05% in favour of the merger. HBOS has met and exceeded its target since their merger in 2001, merger synergy had contributed £582mil to group results helping to increase shareholder profitability. Also the fact that HBOS has used the merger method of accounting meant that pre-acquisition profits are not capitalised so they are free for distribution to the shareholders. Shareholders have therefore posed relatively few problems to the HBOS merger.…
