Hong Kong-listed Fosun International, currently the biggest shareholder in BHF Kleinwort Benson, last month announced it intends to launch a cash offer for all of the outstanding shares of the group. BHF Kleinwort Benson then said its board committee would review the offer but gave no further details in its latest results statement.

The group drove its operating income up 11 per cent year-on-year to €191.3 million over the six-month period and generated an operating profit of €8 million, compared to a loss of €15.8 million during the corresponding period of 2014.

Elsewhere, the group revealed it plans to transform its Kleinwort Benson Wealth Management platform into an outsourced solution, including enhanced online and digital offerings by the first half of 2016.

“The first half year results of 2015 underpin that we are on track to deliver on our targets for 2017. We made significant progress in streamlining our businesses with a particularly strong performance at Kleinwort Benson and we saw margins improve across all areas of the business as a result of pricing discipline and proactive portfolio management,” said BHF Kleinwort Benson's chief executive, Leonhard Fischer.

“Looking ahead we remain focused on further improving operating results, building on our international investment expertise and enhancing our client offering in all the geographies where we are present.”