Canadian Bank To Take Over Largest Costa Rican Private Bank

by Leroy Baker, for LawandTax-News.com, New York

16 June 2006

Canada's Scotiabank has agreed to acquire Corporacion Interfin, the parent of Banco Interfin, the largest private bank in Costa Rica for Cdn$330 million.

Scotiabank will merge its existing regional bank with Interfin, resulting in a 13 per cent loan market share. Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in about two month's time and will be undertaken through a public share offering.

"Scotiabank has deep roots and a long history in Latin America and we are proud to grow our operations in this region, where we have become a leading bank," said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "Acquiring Interfin complements our strategy of investing in high growth markets where we anticipate increased demand for financial services. This region is an increasingly important part of Scotiabank's international strategy and we have built a strong franchise by delivering superior service and by providing financial stability."

"Scotiabank's focus on customer service and teamwork are absolutely consistent with the culture we have maintained at Corporacion Interfin, which assures us that our customers and the members of the Interfin team will find themselves in a familiar environment," said Luis Liberman, CEO of Interfin. Scotiabank has operated in Costa Rica since 1995. The Bank's subsidiary has about 300 employees, plus 39 automated banking machines (ABMs) and 17 branches, offering retail, commercial and cash management services.

Founded in 1979, Interfin will bolster the Bank's presence with 24 branches, 36 ABMs and about 950 employees. Scotiabank's combined Costa Rican operation will have 41 branches, 75 ABMs, with about Cdn$1.8 billion (US$1.6 billion) in assets and Cdn$1.1 billion (US$1.0 billion) in deposits.

In Latin America, Scotiabank already operates in Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Belize and Chile, with an affiliate in Venezuela and a representative office in Brazil.

"Scotiabank will be leveraging proven, bank-wide capabilities to expand our product and services offerings," said Brian Brady, Scotiabank's Country Head in Costa Rica. "Our objective is to obtain new customers by also expanding our sales and delivery network."

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 55,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve about 10 million customers in some 50 countries
around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With $357 billion in assets (as at April 30, 2006), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York (BNS) Stock Exchanges.

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