Market Chatter: BNP Paribas, KB Kookmin Bank Eye 15% Techcombank Stake

03:53 AM EDT, 08/26/2026 (MT Newswires) -- BNP Paribas (BNP.PA) and South Korea-based KB Kookmin Bank are reportedly engaged in separate discussions to buy a minimum 15% stake in Vietnamese commercial joint stock bank Techcombank, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing sources. A possible deal, which would value the stake at $2 billion, could be reached by the end of 2026 or the first half of 2027. However, nothing is finalized formally, and a transaction may not materialize at all, the report added. Interested parties are also considering purchasing stakes from existing foreign investors. The bank's current foreign ownership stands at 20.5%, below the 30% regulatory limit. BNP Paribas, KB Kookmin Bank, and Techcombank did not immediately respond to requests for comments from MT Newswires. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)