Commerzbank AG (CRZBY)

[Enterprising Investor]

AXA and Commerzbank Sign Financing Agreement for Mid Caps (6/06/13)

By Noemie Bisserbe
PARIS--French insurer AXA SA (CS.FR) said Thursday it had signed a financing agreement with German lender Commerzbank AG (CBK.XE) to help fund medium-sized companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

The deal will allow Commerzbank to issue loans, which will in turn be sold to the French insurer, the two companies said in a joint statement.

The agreement highlights how banks in Europe are increasingly moving the loans they issue off their balance sheet to meet new stringent banking regulation.

AXA last year signed a similar agreement with French lender Societe Generale SA (GLE.FR).

Write to Noemie Bisserbe at [e-mail]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130606-705028.html