Rabobank Group is in preliminary talks with banks, institutional investors and private-equity firms that may bid for its leasing unit DLL, according to media reports.
Bloomberg cited a person with knowledge of the process saying that the bank could raise as much as 4.5bn from the sale.
The source said that the transaction could be concluded in the second half of 2016 and that there is a consideration of selling parts of the leasing unit.
Rabobank is seeking to cut as much as 150bn of assets by 2020 in preparation for tougher European capital rules.
DLL reported net profit of 454m in 2014, while its profits soared by 13.9% year-on-year to 257m in the first half of 2015.
Earlier this month, DLL financed the replacement of a fleet of 76 ferry port terminal tractors in 6 ports in the Netherlands and the UK for ferry operator Stena Line.
A DLL spokesperson declined to comment.
Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad reported the possible sale earlier today.