Count, Mortgage Choice merger talks

Listed accounting and financial services group Count Financial Ltd has taken a 4.9 per cent interest in Mortgage Choice Ltd after earlier discussions of a possible merger between both companies.

Count said in a statement that such a merger would create a leading diversified and independent financial advice and mortgage broking network in Australia.

"These discussions involved Count proposing a merger price incorporating a considerable premium to the then Mortgage Choice share price," Count said.

However Mortgage Choice said it did not wish to discuss a merger with Count at this time.

Count said it will continue to assess its options around Mortgage choice and its investment.