32003M3301

Commission Decision of 03/12/2003 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No IV/M.3301 - ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP / FIRST ACTIVE PLC) according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (Only the English text is authentic)

To the notifying party

Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s),

Subject: Case No COMP/M.3301 - Royal Bank of Scotland Group / First Active Notification of 31 October 2003 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 [1], as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 [2] Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No. C 270, 11/11/2003, page 4

[1] OJ L 395, 30.12.1989 p.1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p.13.

[2] OJ L 180, 9. 7. 1997, p. 1; corrigendum OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.

1. On 31 October 2003, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 by which the UK undertaking Royal Bank of Scotland Group ("RBSG"), through its subsidiary Ulster Bank Ireland Limited ("Ulster Bank"), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the Irish undertaking First Active plc ("First Active") by way of purchase of shares.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are :

- for RBSG: provision of banking and other financial services;

- for Ulster Bank: provision of banking and other financial services;

- for First Active: provision of banking and other financial services.

3. After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 and of paragraph 4, subparagraph c of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 [3].

[3] OJ C 217, 29.07.2000, p. 32.

4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89.

For the Commission

Signed by Mario MONTI Member of the Commission