Malaysia RHB hires Credit Suisse as $7.3bn bank deal

Malaysian lender RHB Capital has hired Credit Suisse as an adviser as local peers CIMB and Malayan Banking Berhad explore rival takeover bids for it, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

RHB, which has a $7.3 billion market value, has become a target in what could be Asia Pacific's fourth-biggest banking deal ever.

Both CIMB and Maybank have secured approval from the Malaysian central bank to start merger talks with RHB, which is Malaysia's fifth-biggest lender.

RHB and Credit Suisse were not available for immediate comment.