Tang Bao's private villa.

"Don, congratulations." Mrs. Annette raised her glass in congratulations. She knew that the Fed and the Treasury would not have major obstacles, but she did not expect things to go so smoothly.

"Thank you."

Tang Bao touched his wine glass with Mrs. Annette and said with a smile. To be honest, Tang Bao didn't expect the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department to be so happy. Originally, his plan was acceptable as long as it was done within a month. I got a big surprise.

It was so smooth that Tang Bao couldn't believe that it was true, thinking that he was in a dream.

Mrs. Annette elegantly took a few sips of red wine, gently lowered her glass, and reminded: "Don, the next most important thing is the Foreign Investment Committee. Although it is a newly formed institution, it has a lot of power. The right to prohibit investments and acquisitions in the United States on the grounds that they are detrimental to U.S. national security, and without court action. The most important US law does not give a clear definition of 'national security', and there are no clear and transparent rules when reviewing, and it has a very large amount of discretion! ”

"Not to stand up to the courts?" Tang Bao's eyes showed a look of confusion, the United States attaches great importance to legal protection, how can there be an existence above the law.

"Yes. CFIUS's rulings are not subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, and once a M&A transaction is rejected by CFIUS, the applicant cannot file a judicial remedy if it is rejected by the CFIUS Investor, regardless of whether it is reasonable or not. Mrs. Annette explained Tang Bao in detail. In other words, if CFIUS decides to review the deal, and if it rejects the deal, there is no room for the bank to recover. That's why I said that CFIUS is the most difficult hurdle to cross. ”

Hear the words.

Tang Bao couldn't help but nod in acknowledgement. As for the Committee on Foreign Investment in Foreign Investment, he only knows that the United States has set up this department, but he does not have a clear understanding of how much power it holds.

But.

Mrs. Annette explained. Tang Bao finally understood a little, its rights to foreign investors are indeed boundless, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a word that determines life and death.

If the Federal Reserve, the Ministry of Finance and other review agencies make a veto, they can also lobby or even apply for judicial relief, which may change their lives against the sky. However, the Committee on Foreign Investment in China (CFIUS) is very different, and once it makes a formal decision, it is considered to be very capable. It's hard to change.

"Whew...... There's only one chance. Tang Bao couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Meantime.

Tang Bao was also a little aggrieved and depressed in his heart, Nima's, the establishment of the Foreign Investment Committee, was originally aimed at the fierce Japanese capital, but he didn't expect that the Japanese capital was still alive and well, but he was going to become a victim. As soon as he thought of this, Tang Bao's heart became uneasy.

"Don, there's actually no need for you to be overly nervous. As I said, CFIUS is a nascent regulator with a lot of power. However, there are no clear rules for review, so this discretion is left entirely in the hands of the members of the institution. As long as you can gain the understanding and trust of these members, then there will be no problem. Besides, I think Treasury Secretary Baker has a good impression of you. You can take advantage of it. The Minister of Finance and the Deputy Minister are all members of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the Foreign Investment Committee, and their attitude is very crucial. Mrs. Annette smiled and comforted.

"Hmm."

Tang Bao nodded silently, and his mood became slightly relaxed. Baker, the boss of the Treasury Department, has approved it, and it is impossible to export it again. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance should not stand up to CFIUS again.

"Don, I have very limited knowledge of the actual operation of CFIUS. I don't think so. Bring in McVeigh, who is a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment and should know what is actually going on. Lady Annette suggested earnestly.

"McVeigh?"

Tang Bao couldn't help but smile and said, "Then trouble Mrs. Annette!" ”

on this.

Mrs. Annette just smiled and nodded. Then Mrs. Annette called McVeigh and invited him to Tang Bao's villa.

"Good, good. At eight o'clock in the evening, I arrived on time. McVeigh happily agreed.

……

In the evening, it was more than seven o'clock.

McVeigh drove the car alone and rushed to Tang Bao's villa ahead of schedule. And Tang Bao and Mrs. Annette had already waited at the gate in advance to greet them.

"Good evening, Mr. McVeigh." After McVeigh and Mrs. Annette had exchanged pleasantries, Tang Bao came over to greet McVeigh.

"Hello."

McVeigh shook Tang Bao's hand lightly. He is very infatuated with Mrs. Annette, but that doesn't mean he's a fool. When he saw Mrs. Annette and Tang Bao appear together, he immediately understood that Mrs. Annette invited him over for Tang Bao.

For no reason, a wave of jealousy welled up in my heart. As far as he knew, it was rare for Lady Annette to help someone so dedicatedly.

The last time I tried this was when I was helping President Reagan run for president.

"McVeigh, Don's villa is good, let's all go in and talk." Lady Annette said with a smile as she walked towards the villa.

McVeigh scrambled along.

And Tang Bao didn't speak again, and when they met twice, McVeigh was extremely cold to him, and he understood that McVeigh was not interested in him.

……

After taking a seat one after another.

Tang Bao cast a look at Mrs. Annette for help, and he felt that it would be more effective to deal with McVeigh, or Mrs. Annette would come forward.

Apparently.

Mrs. Annette also understood Tang Bao's eyes, and after a while, she smiled and said, "McVeigh, maybe I'm going to trouble you again." ”

"Huh? Isn't the matter of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation solved, and is there another accident? McVeigh asked, confused.

"No, no surprises. It's another thing! Mrs. Annette smiled, shook her head, and then explained, "You may not know that the run on East West Bank was caused by a merger and acquisition. Now that the crisis at East West Bank is resolved, it is natural to move on with the previous acquisition. And this acquisition will involve the Committee on Foreign Investment and will need your approval...... I have invited you here to remind you how best to avoid CFIUS investigations. ”

"East West Bank's acquisition of FirstWisconsin International Bank?" McVeigh's brow furrowed.

"Yes."

Mrs. Annette smiled and nodded.

Call.

"Truth be told, the East West Bank merger is on the radar of the Committee on Foreign Investment in China, and we are closely monitoring the progress."

Concern......

Mrs. Annette whispered these two words and asked softly, "McVeigh, what do you mean by attention?" ”

"It's just being targeted. In other words, as long as the East West Bank takeover proceeds, the probability that CFIUS will initiate an investigation is almost 100 percent. As for the final review results, even I can't give you a clear answer at this moment. McVeigh said honestly.

Well.

Really do you know how to investigate?

Tang Bao's mood couldn't help but tighten, once the CFIUS launched an investigation, the variables would be big. The consequences are really hard to manage......

"Mr. McVeigh, according to you, if East West Bank were to proceed with the acquisition plan, it would be a sure thing for CFIUS to initiate an investigation. I wonder why...... What prompted you to decide to investigate? Tang Bao asked.

"Threatens the national security of the United States!" McVeigh replied unequivocally.

Hear the words.

Tang Bao rolled his eyes, Nima's, this is equivalent to saying it in vain, of course I know that it is a threat to "national security", but in which specific way it is threatened.

"McVeigh, can you elaborate on the consideration of CFIUS's determination to launch an investigation?" Lady Annette asked.

Reason?

McVeigh fell silent, as if pondering what to say.

It's been a long time.

"In fact, this result is also to blame for East West Bank itself, which did not do a good job of public relations......," McVeigh said.

"Huh?"

Tang Bao couldn't help but be stunned.

"Recently, there has been widespread public concern about the acquisition of East West Bank, and there is strong opposition from local government legislators, but you have not been indifferent and have not done a good job of channeling public opinion in time to resolve these public opinion crises, but have allowed this opposition to spread everywhere...... Public opinion is very loud. As a newly established regulator, it is difficult for CFIUS to assert its authority if it does not take a stand on such high-impact M&A cases. McVeigh.

Depend on.

Is East West Bank going to be brought out by your Committee on Foreign Investment in China? Tang Bao was suddenly unhappy in his heart.

"East West Bank's acquisition of FirstWisconsin International Bank is one of the largest foreign mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. this year, and it has attracted a lot of attention...... Moreover, many parliamentarians are paying attention to this matter, which also puts some pressure on the Committee on Foreign Investment in China. Therefore, regardless of whether or not there is a problem with the East West Bank acquisition, it is inevitable that CFIUS will initiate an investigation. ”

McVeigh said.

"Unavoidable?" Tang Bao couldn't help but say tentatively.

"No way!"

McVeigh shook his head unceremoniously and said that unless East West Bank gave up, as long as it continued to push for the acquisition, it would definitely initiate a review.

"It's been a while since the Foreign Investment Committee was established, and it seems that it hasn't been done yet?" Lady Annette asked.

"Yes. It was formed two months ago, and no foreign acquisition has been investigated, and perhaps the East West Bank acquisition will be the first to be investigated. McVeigh said, looking at Mrs. Annette, McVeigh's mouth opened, hesitated for a while, and reminded in a low voice, "Someone has proposed at the meeting that it is impossible to escape from the acquisition of East West Bank, and it is more meaningful to actively deal with the next investigation!" ”

Well?

Tang Bao couldn't help frowning, McVeigh seemed to have something to say. (To be continued......)