France's CNP Assurances considers takeover of Coface, Bloomberg News reports

Sept 18 (Reuters) — French insurance group CNP Assurances is considering a potential takeover of Coface, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. CNP is working on an offer for the credit insurer, the report added. Deliberations are at an early stage, and CNP could decide against proceeding with an offer, the report said, adding that other bidders could emerge. CNP and Coface declined to comment on the report. CNP, or Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance, is a leading personal insurer in France, with operations across Europe and Brazil, according to its website. Coface provides trade credit insurance that protects companies against the risk of customer non-payment. It also offers business information services, debt collection, single-risk insurance, surety bonds and factoring. (Reporting by Sumedha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) ((Sumedha.Mukherjee2@thomsonreuters.com)