(25 September 2008 – Europe) Japan’s Nomura Holdings, has reached an agreement to acquire the European and Middle Eastern equities and investment banking operations of Lehman Brothers.The deal follows Nomura’s announcement that it will also acquire the Asia Pacific franchise, including Australia and Japan, of Lehman Brothers.
Nomura said that the acquisition will provide it with a market leading equities and investment banking platform in the region.
It will also further enhance Nomura’s strategy of connecting Asia and Europe.
Lehman’s equities and investment banking businesses in Europe and the Middle East employed around 2500 staff, of whom a significant proportion are expected to be retained.
Kenichi Watanabe, chief executive of Nomura, said that this transaction will significantly extend the bank’s European footprint and international reach, enabling it to realise their strategy of delivering Asia to the world.
He also said that their immediate priority was to get the equity and investment banking divisions back in business operating under the Nomura name.
The deal does not include any trading assets or trading liabilities and Nomura will pay an undisclosed sum for the businesses. The transaction is subject to a number of conditions including regulatory approvals.