Generali is exploring various acquisition opportunities in the US

MILAN (Reuters) – Generali is examining several U.S. cases for a potential takeover in the asset management industry, a source close to the matter said, following a report that the Italian insurer may be considering a deal with U.S.-based Guggenheim Partners.

Bloomberg News reported that Italy’s largest insurer was in informal talks on options ranging from a full takeover of asset management firm Guggenheim to a partnership or strategic investment, citing people familiar with the matter.

A source told Reuters that Guggenheim may be among the documentation Generali was reviewing.

When asked about Banca Generali, which – according to the report – could be sold to the investment bank Mediobanca in order to raise funds for any transaction, she replied that there are currently no active talks between Generali and Mediobanca regarding Banca Generali.

(Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro, writing by Agnieszka Flak)