The Swedish bank HANDELSBANKEN (taxable profits of 1.02 billion Swedish kroner in 2000, 42.6 billion SEK of assets as at 31 December 2000) has made a takeover bid for the Danish regional bank MIDTBANK (pre-tax profits of SEK 131 million in 2000, assets of 811 million). It is offering EUR 114 a share, making a total of over EUR 268 million. The bid stands for four weeks until 11 May. MIDTBANK has recommended that its shareholders accept the bid, which if accepted, would lead to the creation...