In Brief: Charles Schwab to Buy 2 Toronto Brokers

Charles Schwab Corp. has announced plans to gain a foothold in Canada by purchasing two brokerage businesses there.

Schwab, the discount brokerage giant, announced Monday that it has agreed to buy sister companies Priority Brokerage Inc. and Porthmeor Securities Inc., both of Toronto.

The companies, whose services include on-line brokerage, together have $120 million of customer assets. Schwab has $461 billion of customer assets.

Schwab plans to combine the companies to create Charles Schwab Canada, a subsidiary of Charles Schwab Corp. Paul Bates, president and chief executive of both Priority Brokerage and Porthmeor Securities, is to hold the same titles at Charles Schwab Canada.

Through its international division, Schwab already offers its services in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands.

The deal should close in mid- to late January, a Schwab spokeswoman said.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER