Nomura is acquiring Macquarie Group's U.S. and European public asset management businesses for $1.8 billion, marking the Japanese investment bank's most ambitious expansion abroad since its failed purchase of Lehman Brothers' assets.

Nomura Holdings plans to buy Macquarie Group’s public asset management business in the U.S. and Europe for $1.8 billion in a bid to strengthen its investment management business.

Nomura has agreed to buy Macquarie’s US and European public asset management business as it expands globally and takes advantage of a generational shift in Japanese investment habits.