China Minsheng Said Lead Bidder for SocGen’s London HQ

China Minsheng Investment Corp. was selected as the lead bidder to buy Societe Generale SA’s London headquarters, according to two people familiar with the sale.

The bank will lease back the office in the City of London financial district for about four years after which CMI plans to refurbish the building, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. A spokesman for Societe Generale declined to comment. CMI, one of China’s largest private investment funds, did not immediately respond to e-mailed requests for comment and a phone number did not connect.