Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQG) is getting close to finalising a $5.6 billion bid that, if successful, would make it the world’s third-biggest plane lessor.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Macquarie has canvassed a number of options to buy Royal Bank of Scotland's aircraft leasing unit.
RBS is reportedly accepting bids for both the whole business as well as different tranches of more than 200 aircraft with a total order book worth up to $US4 billion.
The AFR says the sale is occurring as the plane leasing sector experiences a major overhaul and that the deadline for the bids has been extended due to strong interest.
In the 2011 financial year Macquarie Group recorded a net profit of $989 million.
