21.10.2017   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 356/23

1.

On 13 October 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

Athene Holding acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Aegon Ireland.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Apollo: private investments; investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo invest in companies and debt issued by companies involved in various business throughout the world,

—   for Aegon Ireland: insurance products and services. Aegon Ireland has two lines of life insurance products and currently conducts business in the United Kingdom and Germany. Aegon Ireland has a German branch, which distributes its life insurance products.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the 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 Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8621 — Apollo Management LP/Aegon Ireland plc

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below: