BNP in Talks to Buy Axa Investment Managers in €5.1 Billion Deal
- Combined entity will oversee about €1.5 trillion in assets
- Axa to carry out €3.8 billion buyback after 2025 close
BNP Paribas SA’s Jean-Laurent Bonnafe built a reputation as reluctant dealmaker in more than 12 years at the helm. Now he’s willing to bet €5.1 billion ($5.5 billion) that demand for alternative assets will continue to increase.
In his biggest purchase as chief executive officer of the French lender, Bonnafe agreed to buy Axa SA’s asset management unit to create one of Europe’s largest money managers, with roughly €1.5 trillion in assets overseen. A good chunk will be in popular and usually more lucrative markets such as private credit, infrastructure and real estate, where Axa adds more than €200 billion.