Credit Suisse May Acquire First Boston

First Boston Inc. confirmed Monday that it is discussing a possible buyout by its major shareholder, the Swiss bank Credit Suisse, that would take the investment bank private.

The companies’ goal is to create “a global investment banking firm,” First Boston said in a statement.

Three months ago the companies, which together own the London-based investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston Ltd., said they were considering some form of restructuring.

While no details of the possible buyout were announced, analysts quoted in Monday editions of the Wall Street Journal speculated that Credit Suisse could offer as much as $50 to $52 a share, or up to $815.36 million.

Roughly 40% of First Boston’s 39.2 million outstanding shares are publicly held. Credit Suisse controls about another 40% of First Boston’s shares.

If the buyout is completed, First Boston said Credit Suisse’s stake would continue at about 40% while employees of First Boston and Credit Suisse would join a limited number of institutional investors in controlling the rest.