Emirates NBD and BNP Paribas sign agreement for sale of BNP Paribas Egypt to Emirates NBD

(BNP Paribas Egypt) to Emirates NBD, subject to Central Bank of Egypt approval and other regulatory approvals in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates NBD will simultaneously offer to acquire the remaining 4.8% of BNP Paribas Egypt from its minority shareholders at the same price.

The total consideration to be offered by Emirates NBD for 100% of BNP Paribas Egypt under the transaction is $500m. This represents a multiple of 1.6 times the book value as of September 2012.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

This acquisition by Emirates NBD will bring together BNP Paribas Egypt's local expertise, customer base and knowledge of the Egyptian market with the regional strength and knowledge of Emirates NBD. Emirates NBD aspires to expand its footprint in retail and corporate banking outside the UAE and has identified Egypt as a key strategic market for future growth. EmiratesNBD intends to accelerate the development of BNP Paribas Egypt by capitalising on the long-standing experience of the strong local staff and management team already in place and by leveraging its regional corporate client base and market-leading retail banking model in its home market.

BNP Paribas Egypt, headquartered in Cairo, recorded revenues of EGP731m ($121m) and net earnings of EGP222m ($37m) in 2011. The bank has a network of 69 branches throughout the country, 1,450 employees, and approximately 200,000 retail and 3,000 corporate clients and its shareholders' equity amounted to EGP 1.9bn ($312m) as of 30 September 2012.

Following completion of the transaction, Emirates NBD and BNP Paribas plan to co-operate in a number of business areas such as trade finance, cash management and corporate and investment banking. BNP Paribas will continue to service its clients in Egypt through this preferred partnership.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD, said: "This deal represents an excellent opportunity for Emirates NBD to enter the promising Egyptian market and achieve our strategic aspiration of expanding regionally. It represents an important milestone in our regional growth and we are confident that it will bring successful results to all our stakeholders".
Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas declared: "Emirates NBD will be a strong partner for our Egyptian subsidiary and its staff, as well as for BNP Paribas' clients wishing to access strong on-shore banking capabilities in Egypt".

Rick Pudner, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, said: "This transaction confirms Emirates NBD's stated strategy and aspiration to be the leading bank in the MENA region. Egypt is a key market in our region with strong growth prospects. BNP Paribas Egypt provides the Bank with an ideal entry opportunity to this important market and we are committed to further build and invest in the franchise supported by their local management team and staff".

BNP Paribas was advised by BNP Paribas Corporate Finance on this transaction and Allen & Overy LLP acted as legal counsel.

Emirates NBD was advised by Perella Weinberg Partners, while HC Securities and Investment also acted as local advisor. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Matouk Bassiouny acted as legal counsel. Emirates NBD also retained Deloitte and McKinsey & Co to conduct accounting/tax and commercial due diligence respectively.