Japan’s Nomura May Buy Stake in Thomas Weisel

Nomura Holdings Inc. said today it’s in talks with Thomas Weisel Partners to buy into the San Francisco-based investment bank and strengthen its U.S. presence.

“We haven’t signed the agreement yet, but we are now negotiating with the investment bank as part of our intention to become a global competitor,” said Toshiyasu Iiyama, a spokesman for Japan’s largest investment brokerage concern.

He declined to provide any details, such as what percentage stake Nomura may buy and how much it would pay.

Nomura plans to spend $163 million to invest in Thomas Weisel Partners and its investment funds, the Nihon Keizai newspaper reported today, without citing sources.

Nomura wants to compete with foreign investment banks in offering advice to Japanese companies seeking to acquire or sell businesses in the U.S., the newspaper said.

Nomura will acquire “several percent” of the U.S. company at a cost of as much as $80 million, a Nikkei English News report said.