Warren Buffett becomes top shareholder in Bank of America

Warren Buffett. AFP FILE PHOTO

American billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway group has officially become the top shareholder in Bank of America after exercising its right to buy 700 million shares at a discount.

Buffett had received the warrants in 2011 after investing $5 billion in the bank, which was suffering at the time from the fallout from the global financial crisis.

Bank of America said Buffett had acquired the shares for about $7.14 each — well below their Tuesday closing price of $23.58.

Buffett’s investment is now worth $16.51 billion, meaning he has made a capital gain of nearly $12 billion.

“In 2011, we welcomed Berkshire Hathaway as a shareholder, and we appreciate their continued support now as our largest common shareholder,” the bank’s CEO Brian Moynihan said in a statement.

Buffett’s other holdings include major assets in real estate and insurance. He is also the biggest shareholder in Wells Fargo.