Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft (Aquila European Renewables’ manager) and Commerzbank have entered into a strategic partnership, with Commerzbank buying a 74.9% stake in Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft. Aquila Group will remain permanently engaged as a shareholder with its remaining shares and will be responsible for operational and investment continuity.
The agreement was signed on 20 December 2023 and is subject to the required regulatory approvals. The transaction should close in the second quarter of 2024.
Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft said “The partnership with one of Germany’s leading banks opens up significant growth potential for our company. It will not only further strengthen our position in our home region but will also offer new opportunities globally. Together with Commerzbank, we aim to develop Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft into one of the leading asset managers for sustainable real asset investments.”
Commerzbank has a strong brand and a broad distribution network of almost 11m private and corporate clients, 26,000 corporate client groups and a global network with a presence in more than 40 countries. Commerzbank aims to actively promote decarbonisation and the sustainable transformation of the economy as well as to channel financial resources into green and sustainable projects.
[QD comment: In the short-term, we don’t think that there is too much to read into this deal. The team managing AERI is unlikely to change and the investment approach etc. should remain the same. Longer-term, one hope might be that the tie up helps atract new investors for AERI. The fund’s Euronext listing could help with that.]
AERI : Aquila European manager in tie up with Commerzbank