BNP Paribas open to partnership with UniCredit on asset management products, CEO says

PARIS (Reuters) -BNP Paribas would be open to developing an asset management partnership with Italy's UniCredit if the Italian lender ends its distribution agreement with Amundi in mid-2027, Chief Executive Jean-Laurent Bonnafe said on Tuesday.

"Of course, we're open to any kind of partnership with any kind of platforms, commercial banks, private banks... that would need high-quality assets, asset management," Bonnafe told analysts in a call, when asked about BNP's interest in pitching UniCredit. 

"It's the normal game. They have... rebuilt in-house some capacity within the asset management space, but for sure, there will be some room for new partners," he said. 

(Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain, editing by Inti Landauro)