Groupe BPCE in advanced discussions to fully own i-bank unit Natixis – Bloomberg

Groupe BPCE is in advanced negotiations to acquire the roughly 30% stake it does not currently own in investment banking unit Natixis, Bloomberg News reported.

The French banking group could make the formal offer to buy out Natixis' minority shareholders in the coming days, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg. The discussions are reportedly ongoing but there is no certainty that the plan would go through.

Following the report, Natixis said it has requested that its shares in Euronext Paris be suspended from trading in light of an upcoming announcement.

Natixis' shares rose 33% since the start of 2021, with its market value now estimated at roughly €11.7 billion, Bloomberg noted, adding that the minority investors' stake is worth about €3.5 billion based on Natixis' Feb. 8 closing price.

In July 2020, the Financial Times reported that the group had explored a buyout but that other options were also being evaluated.