UniCredit speaks of Pioneer-Eurizon tieup

VERONA: Italy's biggest bank UniCredit SpA has discussed a possible tie-up between asset management unit Pioneer and Intesa Sanpaolo SpA's asset manager Eurizon, UniCredit Chairman Dieter Rampl said on Saturday.

UniCredit has been considering its options for Pioneer, Italy's number-two asset manager, including a sale.

"Of course we have spoken about it. We are looking at and thinking about every possibility," he said on the margins of the AIAF-ASSIOM Forex conference.

"Talks are under way with everyone," Rampl added.

French bank Credit Agricole SA said on Thursday it had made a proposal to buy Pioneer.

Natixis SA Chairman Francois Perol said on Wednesday the French investment bank was still interested in Pioneer.Chief Executive Federico Ghizzoni declined to comment on other possible bidders.

Ghizzoni said on Wednesday UniCredit has not yet set a date to decide on the sale of Pioneer but offers will have to be submitted by the end of March.