Britain's Treasury chief Alistair Darling says that the government will still accept rival bids for troubled mortgage lender HBOS PLC - despite confirmation from Lloyds TSB Group PLC that it plans to proceed with its takeover, the Associated Press reported.
Darling told lawmakers at the House of Commons Treasury committee that the process is open to a second bidder, but acknowledged that no rival offer has been made.
Scottish businessman Jim Spowart said Sunday that a European financial services company is preparing a bid for HBOS, but declined to reveal the firm's identity.
Darling said Monday that "it is open to anybody else to come along and put in a bid for HBOS," but not other bids have been made.