Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings Inc. (NMR) aims to achieve a top five ranking for its three key business areas in France, the joint head of its French operations said Monday.

With more than 100 staff in France, Nomura wants to seal a place among the top five in league tables for mergers and acquisitions advisory, equities and fixed income activities, Jerome Calvet, the co-president of Nomura France said at a presentation to journalists.

Calvet, who is also head of Nomura's investment banking activities in France, is co-president of Nomura France alongside Hiroyuki Yamamoto.

Nomura has been working to broaden its international activities following the acquisition of Lehman Brothers' European and Asian operations last year.

The bank is targeting a top 10 place in the mergers and acquisitions advisory sector in France "rapidly" and hopes to eventually enter the top five, Calvet said.

-By Jethro Mullen, Dow Jones Newswires; 33 1 4017 1738; jethro.mullen@dowjones.com