CBA sells 55% stake in unit Colonial First State to KKR for $1.1 billion

FILE PHOTO: Office workers walk in front of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia building in central Sydney, Australia, February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz

Commonwealth Bank of Australia <CBA.AX> said on Wednesday it will sell a 55% stake in unit Colonial First State to private equity firm KKR <KKR.N> for A$1.7 billion ($1.10 billion), in line with plans to focus on its core banking operations.

Australia's largest bank and KKR also plan to undertake an investment programme. CBA said the deal would allow Colonial First State to become a more focused standalone business.

The deal is expected to be completed by the first half of calendar year 2021.

(Reporting by Shriya Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar)