A reward for the Project Finance team

January

“Bank of the Year”

Natixis was awarded the title “Bank of the Year” 2010 for Europe by Project Finance International. This award recognizes Natixis’ expertise in both advisory and debt arrangement across all industrial sectors throughout Europe, specifically in France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Sweden as well as in the Middle East in Oman.

February

Solid results and strong financial structure

Natixis announced its 2010 results. 2010 saw confirmation of Natixis’ return to profitability and a sharp improvement in its earnings capacity, with net income (Group share) in excess of €1.7bn. The results were underpinned by the excellent performance of the three core businesses, CIB, Investment Solutions and SFS and the good contribution of BPCE retail banking business.

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 March

Green ambition

The BPCE group demonstrated its strong commitment to sustainable development and organized its first conference on responsible and green growth on March 22. Round tables were organized to host manufacturers, investors, banks and politicians to discuss the topic of banking and financial solutions to the renewable energy market. It was also the opportunity for Natixis to demonstrate its expertise in the financing of renewable energy projects, in investments in the environment and the fight against global warming.  

April

Optimized lease for China Southern Airlines

Natixis has been mandated by China Southern Airlines as sole MLA of a French optimised Lease with BPCE as sole investor. This transaction finances one A330 and three A320, for a total investment of USD 250 million. It is funded by Export loan for one aircraft and commercial loan for the three remaining aircraft. Export Loan has been syndicated to Bayerische Landesbank and BPCE. The latter is also participating in the Commercial loan. This operation has been given Aircraft Lease deal of the Year 2011 award by Jane's' Transport Finance.

* Mandated Lead Arranger 

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May

Defense headquarters

Natixis and Caisse d’Epargne banks jointly financed the “Balard” project for the future headquarters of the French Ministry of Defense and Army in Paris. The FIDEPPP* fund, managed by Natixis Environnement & Infrastructures**, acted as investor of the project company. CIB acted as financial advisor, mandated arranger of the financing, bookrunner, facility agent and hedging bank. Compagnie Européenne de Garanties et Cautions from the SFS division provided the guaranties for the project.

* a French abridged procedure fund
** a management company approved by AMF [the French Financial Markets Authority]

June

Mobile employee savings

Natixis Interépargne launched MonEpargneSalariale, the first smartphone application for employee savings. This new service is the answer to a strong demand from savers whose behavior and usage are changing: a survey by TNS-Sofres for Natixis Interépargne showed that 65% of mobile internet users are in favor of a mobile application dedicated to employee savings.

July

Birth of a dairy giant

Natixis acted as MLA*, bookrunner and underwriter in the financing of the flagship acquisition of Parmalat by Lactalis for €7.5 billion, thereby creating the new world No. 1 in dairy products.

* Mandated Lead Arranger

August

So jazz

Natixis Global Asset Management was the Presenting Sponsor of the 2011 edition of the Newport Jazz Festival and the 2011 series of Summer in the City concerts by the Berklee College of Music, as well as of the Beantown Jazz Festival. Partnering with these two major institutions is a first milestone for Natixis Global Asset Management.

For more info, go to: www.globalam.natixis.com

  © Ayano Hisa

September

Best Overall Bank for covered bonds in 2011⁽¹⁾

This award established Natixis as global leader for covered bonds, in all currencies, and recognized its expertise of more than twelve years in this field. Supported by the growing refunding needs of banks, the covered bond market continued to soar. Natixis intends to continue playing a first-rank role in this field (2011 ranking in the Euro covered bond market - source: Dealogic).

⁽¹⁾ Survey organized by The Cover, a Euroweek publication

 October

Eurofideme 2 is ambitious ⁽¹⁾

EUROFIDEME2*, a fund managed by Natixis Environnement & Infrastructures**, invested, in partnership with GDF Suez, in the construction of France’s largest solar power plant located near Curbans (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region). Inaugurated in October, the plant has a capacity of 24.5 MW and supplies the energy needs of 35,000 inhabitants. Natixis Environnement & Infrastructures’ 31st investment in renewable energies is fully in keeping with BPCE’s green growth strategy.

* Private Equity Investment Fund
** a management company approved by AMF

⁽¹⁾ This press release is not an investment offer or an invitation, advice or recommendation to subscribe or acquire Eurofideme2 units. Refer to the rules pertaining to the fund.. 

Centrale photovoltaïque à Curbans © C. Moirenc/GDF SUEZ

November

Top-of-the-range insurance

Natixis Assurances Partenaires launched BlueEden Patrimoine, a flexible life insurance policy, marketed by Banque Populaire, Crédit Maritime and regional banks. Designed for affluent clients, it combines two methods of investment management. The policy also offers six automatic arbitrage options that help adapt to the market’s ups and downs. Other advantages are full health and benefit protection or a wide selection of financial products.  

December

Orsay celebrates its 25th anniversary

Natixis is the exclusive sponsor for the refurbishment of Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionist Gallery. Twenty-five years after inception, this cultural institution had a complete makeover with additional spaces, a new scenography and lighting system. The Gallery reopened on October 20 for visitors to discover the new showcase reserved for Impressionist works.