17/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Cinven/Heidelberger Leben. On 16 October, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to the acquisition by Blitz 13-202 AG of Germany, which is controlled by private equity firm Cinven Capital Management (“Cinven”), of Heidelberger Lebensversicherungen AG (“Heidelberger Leben”). The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns as Heidelberger Leben, which is currently part of the Lloyds Banking Group, provides life insurance only in Germany, while the companies controlled by Cinven active in life insurance and insurance distribution (Guardian Financial Services and Partnership) focus on the UK. Furthermore, the two parties have limited market shares both in life insurance and insurance distribution. The transaction, notified on 17 September, was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (FG/transl.fl)