The National Bank Australia is doing what it can to secure its place in the acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific with a $13 billion target bid.

NAB yesterday contested to the decision of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, stating it would "actively" pursue all actions without specific details.

The bank also believes on its stand that a partnership with AXA AP does not lessen competition between retail investment platforms, as what the ACCC claims.

"This is a segment NAB and MLC (NAB's funds arm) understand very well and do not believe it presents any competition concerns," the bank said.

Meanwhile, ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel disclosed to BusinessDay that he was prepared to talk it over with the bank regarding competition regulator's decision. The chairman also said that there were no concerns regarding superannuation, insurance, or banking from the proposal.

However, the ACCC mentioned there was nothing wrong with the lapsed A$13.1 billion cash scrip offer from AMP to AXA AP.

Media reports have said that AMP will try another proposal, but no specifics were given.

NAB is considering selling parts of its recently acquired $825 million-Aviva businesses, including the Navigator platforms to negotiate with the ACCC on the AXA AP deal.

An analyst commented that NAB will have a hard time convincing the ACCC to reverse its ruling because the decision was based on "qualitative rather than based on simple market-share combinations."

If NAB fails to reach a deal with the ACCC within six weeks, its arrangement with France's AXA SA and AXA AP will be considered null and void.