Canada-based Scotiabank has concluded the acquisition of ING DIRECT Canada from Netherlands ING Group, following the receipt of all regulatory approvals.
Acquisition follows an agreement signed between the two parties for a total cash consideration of C$3.1bn (€2.5bn) in August 2012.
Commenting on the deal, Scotiabank Group Canadian Banking head Anatol von Hahn said the acquisition supports the firm's strategic goals and enables to broaden its funding base, while ING DIRECT's revenues and earnings support the overall growth objectives.
"ING DIRECT will continue to operate as a separate and distinct wholly-owned subsidiary, providing low cost and highly competitive products to self-directed customers," Hahn added.
Both organisations will remain distinct in the initial stages and changes to name or branding of ING DIRECT will not happen in the next few months, but options will be explored in future.
ING is selling its direct banking businesses to streamline operations and repay the state aid it received during the 2008 financial crisis.
With assets of $670bn as at 31 July 2012, Scotiabank manages over 81,000 employees and serves about 19 million customers in morethan 55 countries across the globe through its affiliates.
