DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Morgan Stanley (MS) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.
(MTU) announced late Tuesday a loan-marketing venture in the
Americas as the financial giants look to expand the scope of their
previous alliance.
Last fall, Mitsubishi made a $9 billion investment in Morgan
Stanley as the U.S. brokerage worked to stay afloat amid the
financial crisis. The latest partnershup follows a memorandum of
understanding to create a separate venture to combine both MUFG's
and Morgan Stanley's securities businesses in Japan.
The companies said they will combine to form Morgan Stanley MUFG
Loan Partners, which would constitute one of the largest lenders to
U.S. corporations, with total loan commitments of more than $100
billion.
They also signed a referral agreement for commodities
transactions outside of Japan. Under that deal, Mitsubishi will be
able to refer clients to Morgan Stanley for commodity transactions
and receive referral fees upon completion.
"Looking ahead, the newly formed loan marketing JV provides our
clients with even stronger financing capabilities, and the
commodities referral agreement gives MUFG's clients access to an
industry-leading commodities platform, " Morgan Stanley Chief
Executive John Mack said.
In after-hours trading, Morgan Stanley shares rose 5 cents to
$28.56. The stock is up 78% so far this year through Tuesday's
close.
-By Lauren Pollock, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2356;
lauren.pollock@dowjones.com