AXA considers Standard Life bid

FRENCH insurance giant AXA is considering a £7 billion (€10.4 billion) bid for British insurer Standard Life, according to weekend reports.

The investment bank, Goldman Sachs, is believed to be advising AXA in its assessment of Standard Life, Britain’s largest mutual assurer until it listed in July. Both AXA and Standard Life have so far declined to comment.

AXA, whose British units include AXA Sun Life and PPP Healthcare, has frequently been named as a potential predator in the British market.