Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5408 — Fortress/Unicredit/Torre) — Candidate case for simplified procedure Text with EEA relevance
Date: 2009-02-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Italy, Luxembourg, United States, economic concentration, exchange of information, financial institution, financial services, investment transaction, merger control, supplementary pension

C 45/24

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.2.2009

V

(Announcements)

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION
POLICY

COMMISSION

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5408 — Fortress/Unicredit/Torre)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2009/C 45/06)

1.
On 13 February 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 undertakings Fortezza RE S.ar.l.
(‘Fortezza’, Luxembourg), belonging to the Fortress Investment Group LLC (‘Fortress’, USA) and Pioneer
Investment Management S.G.R.p.A. (‘Pioneer’, Italy), belonging to the Unicredit Group (‘Unicredit’, Italy)
acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking
Torre SGR S.p.A. (‘Torre’, Italy), which is currently controlled by Fortezza, by way of purchase of shares.
2.
— for Fortezza: acquisition, holding, management and disposal of participations and interests

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

in

Luxembourgish and foreign companies,

— for Fortress: a US-based global alternative investment and asset management firm, which manages
capital for a diverse group of investors including pension funds, endowments and foundations, financial
institutions, funds of funds and high net worth individuals,

— for Pioneer: a global investment manager, offering mainly mutual funds and hedge funds to its clients,
— for Unicredit: an international bank based in Italy. It offers a wide range of banking and financial
services, including retail and corporate banking services as well as investment banking and asset manage-
ment services,

— for Torre: an Italian asset management company, operating in the creation and management of real

estate financial products in Italy.

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

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.
4.
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 ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under
reference number COMP/M.5408 — Fortress/Unicredit/Torre, to the following address:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Brussels

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.