SANTIAGO -(Dow Jones)- Scotiabank Chile, the local unit of Canada's Bank ofNova Scotia (BNS), is mulling the acquisition of a stake in Banco del Desarrollofor some $450 million, La Tercera newspaper reported Thursday.
The 42% controlling stake Scotiabank aims to buy, currently held by localshareholders, could eventually increase to 80% if Banco del Desarrollo's foreignshareholders, namely France's Credit Agricole and Italy's San Pablo, also agreeto sell, the newspaper reported citing an unnamed person close to the process.
Through the purchase, Scotiabank Chile would jump to the sixth spot in thelocal banking market from its current 11th place in terms of market share,according to La Tercera.
An attorney linked to the negotiations told the daily Banco Credito eInversiones, another local bank, is also eyeing Banco del Desarrollo.
Newspaper Web site: http://www.latercera.cl
-By Carolina Pica, Dow Jones Newswires; 56-2-460-8544; carolina.pica@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 08-02-07 0910ET Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.