GE sells its Japan lending business for US$4.8B
by Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press
The sale to Tokyo-based Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing includes the Capital Finance, Fleet Service and Vendor Finance divisions
TOKYO—U.S. industrial conglomerate General Electric Co. is selling its Japan commercial lending business to Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing for about $4.8 billion.
The deal, announced Dec. 15 and to be concluded by April 2016, marks the withdrawal of GE Capital from Japan, except for a minor joint venture, according to Akihiro Yoshinobu, spokesman for GE Capital in Tokyo.
General Electric, based in Fairfield, Conn., has been focusing on industrial businesses, based on making large complicated equipment for other companies, and shrinking its other businesses that focus on finance.
The largest change involves selling most of GE Capital’s assets, including $26.5 billion in real estate assets.
Sumitomo Mitsui, one of Japan’s biggest leasing companies, has been expanding abroad, including China, Southeast Asia and the U.S.
“We continue to make quick progress on the sale of our international assets and are pleased to sell this business to a company that is committed to growth for our customers and employees,” said Keith Sherin, GE Capital chairman and CEO.
Under the deal, GE Capital will sell Capital Finance, Fleet Service and Vendor Finance, including employees of the business.
The sale is subject to regulatory approval.
