Globenewswire·2025-10-07 16:00Core Viewpoint - The Crelan Group and Crédit Agricole Group have finalized their strategic partnership, which includes the signing of commercial agreements and the acquisition of a 9.9% minority stake in Crelan SA/NV by Crédit Agricole [2][5]. Group 1: Strategic Partnership Details - The partnership aims to enhance banking services in Belgium by combining Crelan's local presence with Crédit Agricole's expertise in asset management, private banking, and leasing [3]. - The two groups will focus on commercial collaborations in key areas such as asset management through Amundi, private banking via Indosuez Wealth Management / Bank Degroof Petercam, and leasing through CA Leasing & Factoring [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Impact - The acquisition of the 9.9% stake has a negligible impact on the CET1 ratio of Crédit Agricole S.A. and its subsidiaries, while positively affecting Crelan Group's phased CET1 capital ratio by 2.1% [6]. - This increase in capital ratio provides Crelan with greater financial flexibility to pursue future organic growth opportunities [6]. Group 3: Company Profiles - Crelan Group ranks fifth among Belgian retail banks, with total assets of €55.8 billion, managing €44.3 billion in customer deposits and supporting €49.5 billion in loans [7]. - Crédit Agricole Group is Europe's leading retail bank and asset manager, serving 54 million customers and characterized by its cooperative banking model [8][9].