Briefs: McMillan Shakespeare buys UK finance broker, NAB Asset Servicing signs Citi for global custo
Remuneration and automotive finance specialist McMillan Shakespeare has acquired UK asset finance broker Anglo Scottish Asset Finance. McMillan Shakespeare, which established an asset finance business in the UK in 2013, paid £7.7 million upfront and will pay up to another £7 million over the next three years if earnings targets are met. Anglo Scottish directors and senior management will continue to manage the business. National Australia Bank Asset Servicing has appointed Citigroup as its global custodian. NAB runs the biggest custody business in Australia, with A$793 billion of assets under custody. NAB group executive products and markets Antony Cahill said in a statement that Citi's direct access to 60 markets would give NAB's clients greater market intelligence and expert advice. Deloitte's latest CFO Survey, covering Q3 2015, has identified a downward shift in sentiment on the back of concerns about China, in spite of the positive influences of record low interest rates and a more favourable exchange rate. Deloitte said the survey results suggested that "strong credit conditions are now not sufficient to offset CFO concerns regarding the future of the Australian economy." It also found that "bank borrowing" remained the preferred source of funding among CFOs, while equity and corporate debt issuance are now markedly less attractive.