by Calculated Risk on 1/28/2008 09:29:00 AM

From the WSJ: ADS Says Blackstone Deal Unlikely

Alliance Data Systems Corp. ... Blackstone ... likely won't go through with its $6.4 billion acquisition ...

... Blackstone told the data processor and marketing firm in a letter late Friday it doesn't expect the deal to get the necessary approvals from OCC and that the regulator is demanding "extraordinary measures" which "represent operational and financial burdens ... that cannot be reasonably assumed."

"Extraordinary measures" are usually doable during better times. This seems like another way to leave your lover (from Paul Simon):

You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free