Objectway in talks to buy Slib from BNP Paribas, Natixis

Objectway is in talks to acquire Slib, the capital markets IT joint venture held by BNP Paribas and Natixis. The Italian wealth management technology firm would add trading and execution software to its wealth platform.

Slib was formed in 1988 from the IT department of the Lyon Stock Exchange. It serves about 30 European asset servicers, broker-dealers and banks and employs more than 140 staff across Paris, Lyon and Lisbon. The company provides systems for securities processing, retail brokerage and risk management, together with implementation and operational support.

The proposed acquisition would add trading and execution capabilities to Objectway’s product set, including front-to-back securities processing, clearing, settlement and risk management. The deal would increase Objectway’s presence in France and create an operational hub in the Iberian Peninsula through Slib’s Lisbon office.

Objectway supports over 250 financial institutions in more than 16 countries and administers more than €2 trillion in assets. Financial terms of the potential transaction have not been disclosed. Negotiations are ongoing and neither the sellers nor Objectway have provided a timetable for completion or details on required regulatory approvals.

Luigi Marciano, founder and group CEO of Objectway, described the project as consistent with the company’s long-term strategy to broaden its expertise, increase its European presence and support clients facing greater market complexity while building foundations for sustainable growth.

Slib’s product portfolio covers end-to-end securities processing and retail brokerage platforms, risk management tools and specialist professional services that help clients implement and run technology platforms. For Objectway, those capabilities would extend its services across the investment services value chain and widen its client base among custodians, brokers and banks.