# C_2009209EN.01000701.xml

| 4.9.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 209/7 |
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4.9.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 209/7

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5613 — Piraeus Bank/BNP Paribas/Greek JV/Swiss JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 209/05

| 1. | On 25 August 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Piraeus Bank SA (‘Piraeus Bank’, Greece) and BNP Paribas SA (‘BNPP’, France) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertakings Piraeus Wealth Management AEPEY (‘Greek JV’, Greece) and Piraeus Wealth Management (Switzerland) SA (‘Swiss JV’, Switzerland) by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture. |
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1.

On 25 August 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Piraeus Bank SA (‘Piraeus Bank’, Greece) and BNP Paribas SA (‘BNPP’, France) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertakings Piraeus Wealth Management AEPEY (‘Greek JV’, Greece) and Piraeus Wealth Management (Switzerland) SA (‘Swiss JV’, Switzerland) by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | Piraeus Bank: A bank listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, active in Greece and a number of South Eastern European countries, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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Piraeus Bank: A bank listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, active in Greece and a number of South Eastern European countries,

| — | BNPP: A French listed banking group with operations in retail banking, asset management and corporate and investment banking, |
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BNPP: A French listed banking group with operations in retail banking, asset management and corporate and investment banking,

| — | Greek JV: will combine the wealth management activities in Greece carried out respectively in the Piraeus Bank Wealth Management division and in the BNPP Wealth Management Greek branch. It will be dedicated to domestic wealth management services in Greece, |
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Greek JV: will combine the wealth management activities in Greece carried out respectively in the Piraeus Bank Wealth Management division and in the BNPP Wealth Management Greek branch. It will be dedicated to domestic wealth management services in Greece,

| — | Swiss JV: a company that will offer international wealth management services, in particular to Greek wealthy investors. |
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Swiss JV: a company that will offer international wealth management services, in particular to Greek wealthy investors.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5613 — Piraeus Bank/BNP Paribas/Greek JV/Swiss JV, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5613 — Piraeus Bank/BNP Paribas/Greek JV/Swiss JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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