Credit Agricole Seeks Worldline Stake to Bolster Troubled Partner

Credit Agricole SA is exploring building a stake in Worldline SA as it looks for ways to help stabilize its struggling payments partner, according to people familiar with the matter. Worldline shares surged as much as 9.1%.

The French lender has been discussing a potential move to buy stock in Worldline after its shares plunged in recent weeks, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Credit Agricole is seeking to play a role in shoring up the business, which has a market value of about €4.1 billion ($4.5 billion).