M&A
Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and deal-making across the global financial sector.
LSEG agreed $3.535 billion Octus acquisition to expand global credit data
LSEG agreed to buy New York-based Octus for $3.535 billion in cash, adding private-credit intelligence, data and workflows to its global platform, subject to regulatory approval.
Standard Chartered signs agreements to buy Zodia Custody and separate its software arm
Standard Chartered has signed definitive agreements to buy 100% of Zodia Custody Limited, with the custody business to join its Securities Services unit and no client disruption expected.
AFG Holding moved to acquire majority stake in Chad housing bank
AFG Holding agreed to become the majority shareholder in Banque de l’Habitat du Tchad through a recapitalisation approved on 14 October, subject to regulatory clearance.
Prudential agreed $4.03 billion Brazil and Mexico insurance sale to CNP
Prudential Financial agreed to sell its Brazil and Mexico insurance businesses to CNP Assurances for $4.03 billion in cash, with closing expected in the second half of 2027.
Vodacom retained Safaricom control while Kenya appeal moved to fast track
Vodacom remained Safaricom’s registered controlling shareholder at roughly 55%, after Kenya’s Court of Appeal preserved the disputed shares and payment while expediting the substantive case.
Banque du Caire’s Egypt offering reached 42% first-day subscription coverage
Banque du Caire’s public tranche reached 42% subscription coverage on its opening day, while Egypt’s wider offering targets 4.575 billion existing shares representing 30% of issued capital.
UniCredit agreed Italian securities-services transfer to bring 54 specialists in-house
UniCredit agreed to transfer an Italian securities-services unit and 54 specialists from Société Générale, advancing an internalisation programme expected to create more than 200 roles across Italy and Germany.
Nedbank’s Kenya acquisition of NCBA became unconditional before November settlement
Nedbank’s R13.9 billion offer for about 66% of Kenya’s NCBA became unconditional after regulatory approvals were secured, with share transfers and cash-and-share settlement scheduled for 3 November.
Tradeweb agreed $1.97 billion Trumid acquisition to expand US bond trading
Tradeweb agreed to acquire Trumid for about $1.97 billion, combining electronic credit-trading platforms across new issuance and secondary markets, with closing targeted for the first half of 2027.
MPS foundation backs Intesa's tender offer for Monte dei Paschi ahead of 29 October vote
Fondazione Mps, once the bank's largest shareholder, will put its backing to its administrative deputation on 23 October, as opponents of MPS's defences already exceed the 34% veto threshold.
ECB authorises UniCredit to lift Commerzbank stake above 30% with no upper limit
UniCredit has ECB clearance to go beyond 30% of Commerzbank and expects to hold about 50% of its voting rights around the end of the year, once remaining regulatory processes are complete.
Taiwan regulator approves Bank SinoPac merger to form NT$3.19 trillion-asset bank
The combined bank is expected to have NT$3.19 trillion in total assets, with Bank SinoPac paying for the deal in new shares to King's Town Bank shareholders and any remainder in cash.