Natixis CIB will acquire all shares of SSA and bring it into its Japanese entity to strengthen its investment banking business in Japan. SSA members are expected to formally join the newly established investment banking division on 1 January 2027.
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (hereinafter, “Natixis CIB”) announced the establishment of an investment banking division in Japan and plans to significantly expand its business structure for investment banking and real assets (IBRA) and M&A. It had previously agreed to acquire all shares of SSA, a leading independent M&A advisory firm in Japan, and SSA members will join Natixis CIB’s Japanese entity effective 1 January 2027.
The new division will be headed by SSA co-founder and Representative Director Gary Chan (ギャリー・チャン), who is expected to oversee the business in cooperation with Fabrice Croppi (ファブリス・クロッピ), global head of IBRA. SSA Managing Director Kentaro (健太郎) will become head of M&A in Japan, while SSA co-founder Fumiaki Sato (佐藤文昭) will work with Natixis CIB as an executive adviser.
SSA was established in 2009 as Japan’s first independent financial adviser and has built a track record in the Japanese market, particularly in TMT. Through the integration, SSA’s deep market expertise will be combined with Natixis CIB’s global platform to establish a structure capable of providing high-value-added financial solutions to domestic and international clients.
Makito Nagahiro (長廣牧人) said the group would deepen its commitment to the Japanese market and strengthen a broad range of financial capabilities, including M&A advisory and leveraged finance in addition to DCM. He said the group would support clients in Japan and worldwide. An SSA co-founder also welcomed participation in the new structure and said its track record could be used to provide clients with comprehensive solutions.