Merrill DataSite® Poll: Regional Players Take on Predominant Role in Regional Lending

Online, December 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - New York, N.Y. - In a recent survey of nearly 200 global financial consultants, almost 47.7 percent of respondents indicated that regional players are the predominant lender in their respective region. The poll was conducted during a webinar presented by Merrill DataSite, in association with mergermarket, called, "Driving the Comeback of M&A: A report examining the current and future M&A landscape."

"An in-depth look at the original survey results reveals that respondents' answers vary by region," said Richard Martin, senior director of Merrill DataSite. "For example, a majority of respondents from Europe (77 percent) and the Asia-Pacific region (62 percent) indicated that regional players are the most active lenders in their respective regions, while only 31 percent of North American respondents held a similar view. We also learned that middle-market transactions tend to attract regional lenders. In addition, Asian lenders appear to have a greater appetite for risk than their counterparts in North America and Europe."

Polling results from the webcast showed a range of answers among respondents regarding potential threats to M&A's continued comeback. According to the results, 34 percent believed that a lack of available capital for acquisition-hungry corporations could threaten the comeback of M&A, while 34 percent believed that vendor-buyer price dislocation could be a problem. Another 24.5 percent believed an economic double-dip could threaten the comeback. In addition, when asked if they expect funding to become more expensive in their region, 45.3 percent of respondents said "yes" and 54.7 percent said "no."

Additional questions and their respective responses were as follows:

• Which sector do you believe will witness more distress-driven M&A than others in the next 6 to 12 months?

Technology, Media and Telecommunications: 11.1%
Energy, Mining and Utilities: 4.4%
Financial Services: 28.9%
Consumer: 26.7%
Pharma, Medical and Biotech: 0%
Industrials, Chemicals, Transportation and Construction: 28.9%

• Which sector do you believe will witness the most consolidation plays in the next 6 to 12 months?

Technology, Media and Telecommunications: 8.1%
Energy, Mining and Utilities: 24.3%
Financial Services: 16.2%
Consumer: 16.2%
Pharma, Medical and Biotech: 2.7%
Industrials, Chemicals, Transportation and Construction: 32.4%

For more information on Merrill DataSite, please visit www.datasite.com.

About Merrill DataSite®
Merrill DataSite is a secure virtual data room (VDR) solution that optimizes the due diligence process by providing a highly efficient and secure method for sharing key business information between multiple parties. Merrill DataSite provides unlimited access for users worldwide, as well as real-time activity reports, site-wide search at the document level, enhanced communications through the Q&A feature and superior project management service - all of which help reduce transaction time and expense. Merrill DataSite's multilingual support staff is available from anywhere in the world, 24/7, and can have your VDR up and running with thousands of pages loaded within 24 hours or less.
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About Merrill Corporation

Founded in 1968 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Merrill Corporation (www.merrillcorp.com) is a leading provider of outsourced solutions for complex business communication and information management. Merrill's services include document and data management, litigation support, language translation services, branded communications programs, fulfillment, imaging and printing. Merrill's target markets include the legal, financial services, insurance, healthcare and real estate industries. With more than 5,200 people in over 45 domestic and 21 international locations, Merrill empowers the communications of the world's leading companies.