Three may be on Aviva short list

A short list of serious bidders is emerging to make an offer for the Australian life insurance business of Aviva, but getting a handle on those on the short list is awkward.

The Financial Times reported yesterday afternoon that those "in the running" were National Australia Bank and Westpac "alongside other parties including" Axa Asia Pacific and AMP. The FT reported that it was unclear whether the ANZ/ING joint venture is still in the auction.

The Street Talk column in the Financial Review scrubbed Westpac and Axa from the short list. According to Street Talk Macquarie Group, nab and AMP "may still have some interest." In affect this adds Macquarie to Street Talk's short list of two from last week.