Possible structures could include a full acquisition by Amundi or a combination with AGI that would leave Allianz with a sizeable stake, they said.
Allianz Global Investors had EUR555 billion ($784.04 billion) of assets under management at the end of June, according to its website. While talks have progressed at various times and there’s a prospect of an agreement before annual results in February, the complexity of any transaction means there’s no certainty they will lead to a deal, they said.
One possible structure that has been discussed would involve forming a joint venture initially, potentially as a first step toward greater integration down the line, some of the people said.
Amundi and Allianz are both working with advisers as they each explore different asset management transactions, the people said. Munich-based Allianz has also held preliminary discussions with Deutsche Bank AG about a potential combination with the bank’s asset-management division DWS Group, the people said.
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Tie-Ups, partnerships
Reuters and Bloomberg reported in October that Allianz is considering options for its AGI unit. The early-stage considerations could include tie-ups and partnerships, a person with knowledge of the matter said at the time.
Representatives for Amundi, Allianz, Deutsche Bank and DWS declined to comment.
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Dealmaking in the European asset management industry has been in full swing since BNP Paribas announced plans earlier this year to acquire AXA’s asset management arm.
Assicurazioni Generali is considering an asset management tie-up with Natixis Investment Managers, people with knowledge of the matter said in November.
Italy’s Banco BPM also launched a takeover offer last month for asset management firm Anima Holding, which was disrupted when UniCredit made a bid for Banco BPM.
Rising costs and pressure on fees are prompting asset managers to seek further scale. Many of the biggest players in Europe are still owned by banks or insurers, and often lack the scale to compete with US fund houses and alternative investment firms that have enjoyed breakneck growth in recent years.
Doubling down
Banks have been looking to double down on asset management as they seek new income streams at a time when interest rates are falling.
An accounting quirk known as the Danish compromise is also helping deals. A regulation dating back to Denmark’s European Union presidency in 2012 allows banks to gain a capital advantage when acquiring non-banks, such as insurers.
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Amundi, controlled by French lender Credit Agricole, is the undisputed champion of the European asset management industry and oversees more than EUR2 trillion.
The firm is known for its acquisition strategy and has been involved in more than a dozen purchases over the past decade, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
AGI’s roots go back to 1998, when Allianz decided to set up a dedicated asset management business. It started building it out through a series of acquisitions, including buying Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management in the US and absorbing Dresdner Asset Management in Europe.
By 2011, the different units were integrated to form AGI while Pimco, which is also owned by Allianz, remained a standalone firm.
Interest in scale
Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a recent research note that Allianz’s management has always been clear that they are interested in scale wherever they operate. Berenberg analyst Michael Huttner said in October his base case scenario is that Allianz may consider selling a 51% stake in AGI to a long-term partner.
DWS, led by Stefan Hoops, is Germany’s largest asset manager with more than EUR900 billion of assets under management. It has been scouting for potential acquisition targets and has also studied a deal for Viridium, the German life insurance consolidator backed by Cinven, Bloomberg News has reported.
A full acquisition of Allianz Global Investors could require the firm to raise capital, which would need approval from Deutsche Bank.
