France's BPCE Acquires 7% Stake in Banco Sabadell
BPCE has acquired a 7% stake in Spain's Banco Sabadell and plans to explore strategic cooperation in consumer finance and investment banking.
The French banking group BPCE has acquired approximately 7% of Spain's Banco Sabadell through market purchases and financial instruments. As the second-largest banking group in France, BPCE intends to maintain a long-term position as a shareholder and will seek a seat on the Sabadell board, subject to regulatory and governance approvals. The group stated it does not plan to increase its holding beyond 9.9%.
Beyond the equity investment, the two lenders are exploring a strategic partnership to cooperate in equipment leasing, consumer finance, corporate and investment banking, and services for cross-border clients. Discussions regarding these cooperation efforts are expected to conclude in early 2027.
This investment follows a period of instability for Banco Sabadell, which successfully resisted a hostile takeover bid from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria less than a year ago. The new partnership with BPCE marks a shift toward collaborative growth after the previous attempt at forced consolidation.
