Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) has scrapped the sale of its RAMS Home Loans Pty Ltd. mortgage broker franchise business after an unsuccessful Morgan Stanley-led attempt to sell it failed to secure an acceptable offer. A Westpac spokesman said the lender would consider the future of the business, which it bought for $140 million in 2007. "Westpac has concluded the sales process for its RAMS business without reaching a sales agreement," the spokesman said.

"Westpac will continue to operate RAMS and support RAMS franchisees and customers while it considers further strategic options for the business." RAMS was once a strong competitor in the low- documentation mortgage lending industry. Westpac appointed Morgan Stanley earlier this year to sell the franchise business without its mortgage portfolio, and a handful of suitors participated in the talks, sources said. Westpac purchased RAMS in 2007 for $140 million in cash.