BNP Paribas has confirmed it is in exclusive discussions to buy a 51% stake in Ukrsibbank, the fifth largest Ukranian bank, in a deal believed to be worth €600m ($702m) to €800m.
Ukrsibank has a network of 750 retail banks in Ukraine. BNP Paribas said the purchase would further its strategy of buying into retail banking networks in emerging European markets.