Merger clearance: The French Competition Authority clears a merger in the banking sector (Caisse d’épargne / Banque populaire)

*This article is an automatic translation of the original article, provided here for your convenience. Read the original article. The Competition Authority has published its the first major decision since the transfer of the responsibility for merger control, Decision No. 09-DCC-16 of the June 22, 2009 relating to the merger between the Caisse d'Epargne Group and People's Bank. This decision was rendered under conditions of remarkable celerity and, if it is any wonder that one is not judged the transaction be subject to a thorough examination in Phase II - that would have been heard if the Minister, in these circumstances, had not understood, just a few months ago, the Competition Council for an opinion! -, it must in the same vein be recognized on reading this 80-page decision, that