Advisers lined up for SNCF deal

French national rail operator SNCF is about to move closer to a merger with the UK’s Arriva transport group with the selection of advisers for the deal. Investment banks including Lazard, BNP Paribas and JP Morgan are expected to pitch for a role. Arriva, which last month said it was in merger talks with the transport arm of SNCF Keolis, is usually advised by NM Rothschild and Deutsche Bank.