No Royal Liver comment on takeover
Friendly society Royal Liver has been reported to be considering a takeover by the UK's largest mutual life and pensions company, Royal London.
The life assurance company has been undergoing restructures since 2009 in efforts to cut losses brought on by the recession, but refused to comment on reports that appeared at the weekend.
Its 500 staff are based in Liverpool's iconic Liver Building, but any takeover would first need to secure approval from Royal Liver's 200 elected committee members.
Three years ago the two companies were in discussion to consider a merger, but Royal Liver chose to remain independent. Since then, the company has been linked to Liverpool Victoria, rebranded as LV=, but tie-up talks have been unsuccessful.
If Royal Liver and Royal London do continue with the reported takeover, the merged company would have nearly six million customers and combined assets worth more than £33 billion.