CIMB ... Dec12

Japan's biggest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, is among the first round bidders

for General Electric's $1.5 billion stake in Thailand's fifth-largest lender, Bank of Ayudhya.

Suitors of GE's Thai bank stake are seeking a foothold in one of Asia's fastest growing economies. They are expected to seek full control of the bank, which is also Thailand's No. 1 retail bank with a $5.9 billion market value.

In addition to MUFG, GE received multiple bids for its 25.3 percent stake, with second round offers due after Dec. 25 2012.

Source said that CIMB Group Holdings had also lodged a bid. Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, which was earlier seen as a potential bidder, did not submit a first-round bid.

Any suitor seeking to take control of the bank would have to overcome several hurdles, including a 49 percent cap on foreign ownership and Thailand's single presence policy on bank ownership.

Some private equity firms were initially eyeing the stake, but their interest has cooled, sources said, as regulators may not favour short-term investors entering the country's banking sector.

Market observers viewed that it is unlikely to acquire GE’s stake in Thailand BOA as CIMB was in capital conservation mode, and was highly unlikely to utilize a significant portion of its capital to acquire a non controlling stake in BOA.

Its near term risks include ongoing external uncertainties due to its cast regional footholds, potential foreign selldown due to high foreign shareholdings (40% in Oct 2012) and higher risk premium with the 13 GE drawing closer.