French financial services group, Natixis is targeting the UK with an array of funds via its distribution arm Natixis Global Associates, including sterling share classes on seven of its Luxembourg SICAVs and Dublin OEICs. Others will include US large-cap funds, a global high yield and a global REIT vehicle, plus European equity portfolios run by Natixis and four Asian funds. Natixis was created through the combination in 2006 of the corporate and investment banking and services activities of the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne groups. The group has also announced good first half results overall, saying that the megamerger from which it arose has continued to go well. The private banking business, comprising Compagnie 1818, Banque Privee Saint Dominique and Natixis Private Banking International, had assets under management at end June 2007 of €17.1 billion (£23.3 billion), an increase of nearly €3.3 billion (24 per cent) on 2006 and €1.6 billion (10 per cent) over the last six months. Total net banking income for the business came to €61.5 million, up 30 per cent from 2006, with gross operating income totalling €11.4 million, more than double the level of the previous year.