SocGen Said to Be in Talks With BPCE Over Equipment Finance Unit

Societe Generale SA is in advanced talks with French financial group BPCE SA over the sale of its equipment-finance unit, known as SGEF, according to people familiar with the matter.

The two French financial groups have been discussing the potential deal for weeks and could soon enter into exclusive talks, two of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing ongoing talks.

Separately, Credit Agricole is preparing bids for SocGen’s German-consumer finance business Hanseatic Bank as well as Swiss private-banking assets, two other people familiar said.

Representatives for Credit Agricole and SocGen declined to comment. BPCE didn’t immediately respond ...