TD Bank Group drove off with Chrysler Financial, purchasing the automotive financial services company for $6.3 billion, today. The deal elevates Chrysler Financial as a top 5 bank-owned auto lender in North America.
"This transaction represents a unique opportunity to purchase a great organic growth platform at an attractive price," said Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD.
"Chrysler Financial is a well-run business with the capacity for significantly higher returns over the next several years. This acquisition will allow us to leverage our lending expertise and financial strength to expand our presence in a large North American market with tremendous potential upside."
The acquisition will give TD a platform for asset generation in the North American automotive lending market, enabling it to significantly grow its consumer loan portfolio. In addition to the existing dealer relationships that TD has in Canada and the U.S., Chrysler Financial’s dealer clients serve approximately 1 million customers.
TD expects that the business could generate a return on invested capital of approximately 20% in three to four years, once it is operating at a steady run rate for target originations.
"Joining forces with TD will benefit both our customers and our dealer network," said Tom Gilman, CEO, Chrysler Financial.
"Under Cerberus's ownership, Chrysler Financial has preserved its technology platform, retained top talent and maintained key capabilities. This transaction positions us for future growth with the financial strength of TD, one of the soundest, best capitalized and best managed banks in the world."
Chrysler Financial will continue to operate as a North American business overseen by Tom Gilman and headquartered in Toronto. TD expects to rebrand Chrysler Financial under the TD brand by spring 2011.
"This transaction takes our auto finance business to a new level and gives us access to a North American platform, top talent and systems and technology capable of processing over 2 million credit applications per year. The Chrysler Financial management team and sales force have a proven track record and extensive industry experience and will complement our existing lending expertise,” said Clark.
Source: TD Bank
