The investor VBL (Versorgungsanstalt Des Bundes Und Der Länder) plans to accept a takeover bid made by U.S.-based Advent International Corporation and Centerbridge Partners, L.P. for Germany's Aareal Bank AG (XTRA:ARL), two people with knowledge of the matter said on January 13, 2022. VBL is a pension fund for German government workers that holds around 6.5% of Aareal. VBL's plans to tender its shares is a vote of confidence in a deal backed by management that values the real-estate lender at EUR 1.7 billion ($1.95 billion).

The deal, launched in November 2021, has however faced some opposition by other large investors. VBL declined to comment.