Natixis has partnered with global index provider FTSE Russell for the development and licensing of the FTSE Custom 150 index, a "unique and simple index" which aims to bypass the market capitalisation bias of traditional indices.

The FTSE Custom 150 Equally Weighted Discount Return Index was developed by FTSE Russell working closely with Natixis, and will act as tool to help investors gain greater insight into the overall performance of the UK stock market.

The French bank plans to issue a number of products linked to this underlying however calls to the structured products desk in London requesting comment were not returned. Jean-Victor Demaison (pictured), Natixis' head of equity derivatives sales UK and Ireland, who joined the French bank at the end of 2015, said in a statement that the launch of the FTSE Custom 150 Equally Weighted Discount Return Index, in collaboration with FTSE Russell, is testament to the bank' "commitment to meeting our clients' requirements in the UK- and demonstrates our expertise in providing smart, innovative equity solutions" and that Natixis will continue "to deliver and add value to end clients in a challenging market environment".

FTSE Russell's pioneering index comprises the 150 largest UK stocks by maintaining exposure to the constituents of the FTSE 100, while also benefiting from the mid-cap size premium through the addition of the next 50 largest constituents of FTSE 250 index. The 150 members of the newly created index are equally weighted with the aim of improving diversification across and within sectors.

Tobias Webb (pictured), managing director, head of Europe, Middle East & Africa (Emea) information services sales, London Stock Exchange Information Services said that the launch of the index is the latest example of its collaboration with a "wide range of market participants" to develop "customised indexes that meet their specific investment requirements and needs" while leveraging its "expertise to help build innovative investment tools for their clients".

The launch follows the recent reshuffle of the bank's equity derivatives and fixed income teams which saw Selim Mehrez, formerly global head of equity derivatives, becoming global head of fixed income, and Éric Le Brusq, becoming global head of equity derivatives within Natixis' investment banking division, replacing Mehrez. Le Brusq and Mehrez report to Luc François, head of global markets solutions.

Natixis has been making inroads into the UK market since the fourth quarter of 2015 when following the appointment of Demaison, the French bank joined the UK Structured Products Association (UKSPA). Natixis also hedged the FTSE Defensive Income Kick Out Plan - April 2016 and the FTSE Range Income Plan - May 2016, and has four live products in the UK market.

Natixis has been rebuilding its equity derivatives and structured products since 2014, and its return to the market has been noticeable through subsidiary Natixis Structured Products, which has acted as the bond provider for 13 structured notes sold to international investors in 2015. Earlier this year, the French bank reported robust momentum and revenues in its core investment solutions, asset management and life insurance businesses, where revenues advanced 12% to €7.878bn in 2015. The bank's corporate & investment banking (CIB) revenue growth was primarily fuelled by the performance of the bank's structured financing and equities segments.

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