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Generali And BPCE Create Europe’s Second-Largest Asset Management Company

Assicurazioni Generali and BPCE have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture, resulting in the creation of Europe’s second-largest asset management company, valued at nearly €10 billion. The deal, as reported by Bloomberg, will combine the investment units of both firms, creating a massive entity managing approximately $2 trillion in assets.

Key Facts

  • Ownership: Generali and BPCE will each hold a 50% stake in the new company.
  • Asset Management: The combined entity will rank as one of Europe’s largest asset managers, just behind Amundi SA, with a substantial portfolio of assets.
  • Geographic Reach: The holding company for the joint venture will be based in Amsterdam, with operational hubs remaining in France, Italy, and the United States.
  • Regional Breakdown: 61% of the total assets will be managed in Europe, while 34% will be in North America.
  • Capital Investment: Generali, managing fewer assets, will contribute €15 billion in seed capital and additional funds over the next five years to help accelerate the growth of the business.
  • Client Base: More than 50% of the joint venture’s assets will come from insurance and pension funds.
  • Leadership: BPCE CEO Nicolas Namias will serve as chairman, while Generali CEO Philippe Donnet will take the role of vice-chairman on the board.

Industry Context

This joint venture aligns with a broader trend among European asset managers seeking to enhance their scale through acquisitions and partnerships. In the past year, BNP Paribas acquired AXA’s funds division, and Amundi has been in talks with Allianz regarding its investment arm, Allianz Global Investors. The Generali-BPCE partnership follows this strategic push to increase market presence in a competitive sector.

Management And Strategy

Both companies will retain full control over their respective asset distribution decisions. Natixis Investment Managers, part of BPCE, owns U.S. firms such as Harris Associates and Loomis Sayles, while Generali has affiliates like Conning & Co., which recently expanded by acquiring MGG Investment Group. This venture allows both firms to operate with a degree of autonomy while benefiting from increased scale.

Conclusion

The Generali-BPCE joint venture signifies a significant reshaping of Europe’s asset management landscape. By combining their resources and capital, the two firms aim to secure a more competitive position in the global market while remaining focused on their strategic objectives and regional expertise.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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