# C_2011268EN.01001101.xml

| 10.9.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 268/11 |
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10.9.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 268/11

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6384 — Zurich/Santander/ZS Insurance)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 268/08

| 1. | On 31 August 2011 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (‘Zurich’, Switzerland) and Banco Santander, SA (‘Santander’, Spain) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of ZS Insurance America, SL (ZS Insurance’, Spain) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 31 August 2011 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (‘Zurich’, Switzerland) and Banco Santander, SA (‘Santander’, Spain) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of ZS Insurance America, SL (ZS Insurance’, Spain) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | Zurich: Insurance and other financial services, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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Zurich: Insurance and other financial services,

| — | Santander: Banking services, |
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Santander: Banking services,

| — | ZS Insurance: Newly created holding company for several existing subsidiaries of Santander which currently provide insurance services in a number of countries in Latin America. |
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ZS Insurance: Newly created holding company for several existing subsidiaries of Santander which currently provide insurance services in a number of countries in Latin America.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6384 — Zurich/Santander/ZS Insurance, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6384 — Zurich/Santander/ZS Insurance, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘EC Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

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