32018M8726

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 27.2.2018

C(2018) 1356 final

To the notifying parties:

Subject:Case M.8726 - ONEY / 4FINANCE / JV
Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 1 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area 2

Dear Sir or Madam,

1.On 5 February 2018, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which Oney Bank S.A. (France), controlled by Auchan Holding (France), and 4finance Holding S.A. (Luxembourg), controlled by Tirona Limited (Cyprus), acquire within the meaning of Articles 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Finey S.A., a newly created company constituting a joint venture. The concentration is accomplished by way of a purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

-Oney provides credit services for purchases made in shops owned by Auchan Holding, its subsidiaries or other commercial partners.

-4finance offers personal loans online, via call centres and through third-party credit distributors.

-Finey, the join venture, will offer unsecured cash loans to customers in Poland.

3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 4

4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

For the Commission

(Signed)
Johannes LAITENBERGER
Director-General

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