S&P Global Market Intelligence presents In Play Today, a periodic summary of potential deal activity in the financial sectors of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This summary, which is displayed according to the location of a target's headquarters, is based on information obtained by S&P Global Market Intelligence and may not be inclusive of all potential deal activity.

Europe

* Poland's Bank Guarantee Fund is looking for an investor to buy Bank Nowy BFG, a bridge financial institution that took over the assets of failed cooperative lender Podkarpacki Bank Spóldzielczy.

* Italy's Nexi SpA made a nonbinding offer for Denmark-based payments company Nets A/S, whose owners are reportedly seeking almost $10 billion in any sale. U.S.-based Global Payments Inc. has also expressed interest in the Danish company.

* Italian payments firm Nexi SpA agreed to acquire rival SIA SpA in an all-share merger the companies said would create a European champion in digital payments.

* Intesa Sanpaolo SpA agreed to acquire a 69% stake in Switzerland-based private bank Reyl & Cie Holding SA through its private banking unit Fideuram SpA, subject to regulatory approvals.

* Spain's Banco de Sabadell SA has contacted fellow lenders Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA and Kutxabank SA over a potential merger as consolidation heats up in the Spanish market. Sabadell is said to be analyzing "different consolidation options."

* Spanish midsize lender Unicaja Banco SA resumed preliminary talks over a potential merger with rival Liberbank SA. The two banks ended previous merger talks in May 2019 after about five months of discussions.

* French bank Crédit Agricole SA is considering a potential deal to buy Italy's Banco BPM SpA as it seeks to expand its Italian operations. A formal approach by Crédit Agricole is yet to be made.

* Cerberus Capital Management LP and an undisclosed rival investment firm would reportedly acquire HSBC Holdings PLC's French retail unit for a symbolic €1 if the bank invests more than €500 million in the business.

Middle East

* Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance Co.'s board decided Oct. 4 to launch initial discussions with Amana Cooperative Insurance Co. regarding a potential merger.