BPE - BANCO POPULAR ESPANOL has made a public bid for acquisition of 24.9% of the Portuguese bank BNC - BANCO NACIONAL DE CREDITO IMMOBILIARO (managed assets of EUR 3.4 billion with 111 subsidiaries in Portugal and 1015 employed), of which it had acquired 75.1% early 2003. It thus fulfils its obligation to launch a bid on the whole of the company capital as it now holds over half of the voting rights. The bid amounts to 3.29 euro per share representing a total of EUR 143.6 million for 24.9%...