Mark Bouris-led Yellow Brick Road Holdings has attracted the attention of an offshore-based suitor.
Street Talk can reveal the interested party has been approaching local stockbroking firms and potential funders about a tilt at the mortgage broking and financial advice group.
Preparations are in the early stages and sources said the suitor had not yet locked down funding or made an approach to Yellow Brick Road's board.
Local stockbroking firms, including Blue Ocean Equities, and private equity giant Apollo Global Management are among those approached to get involved in a potential move on Yellow Brick Road.
http://www.copyright link/content/dam/images/g/y/w/q/1/b/image.imgtype.afrArticleInline.620x0.png/1507453479739.png
Industry participants pointed to financial services group Squirrel as a potential acquirer of Yellow Brick Road.
But it's not an easy proposition. An offer for the company, which has a market capitalisation of about $44 million, would have to be compelling as Macquarie Group, Nine Entertainment and Bouris all hold large stakes and may not be sellers.
After a tough few years, the company delivered its maiden profit for the 12 months ended June 30, 2017 and circumvented the need for Bouris to fire himself. That was a pledge he made last year.
The company's underlying loan book grew 17 per cent to $44.1 billion over the year.
