Caisse d'Epargne, France's second-largest mutual banking group and parent of investment bank Ixis, plans to be ready to float by the end of 2006. The bank is a strategic partner of Lazard and was an anchor shareholder for its flotation in May.

A spokeswoman confirmed the announcement was made by Charles Milhaud on Thursday to senior executives at the group's summer university on the outskirts of Paris. The bank had originally planned to be ready to float in 2007.