http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-...oney-manager-acquisitions-outside-canada.html
Bank of Nova Scotia and Royal Bank of Canada are seeking asset managers outside Canada to build their wealth management-businesses as new regulations free more capital for takeovers.
âIn Canada, weâre very pleased with the generic and the organic growth,â Waugh said. âThroughout the crisis, we were opportunistic.â
Royal Bank, Canadaâs largest lender, has also been searching for takeovers to expand its wealth-management business, which CEO Gordon Nixon said will grow at a faster pace than other financial services as an aging population demands more retirement advice and estate planning.
âWe have a goal to be a top-20 global asset manager,â Nixon, 53, said at the conference. âWeâre actively looking to expand through acquisitions, with an eye on the U.S. and European-based firms that have excellent performance and distribution in their home markets, as well as emerging markets.â
Bank of Montreal CEO William Downe said internal growth is the priority for excess capital, with U.S. commercial banking the most likely area to expand.
Canadaâs fourth-biggest bank will also consider dividend increases and takeovers of troubled U.S. banks in deals supported by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as other uses for capital.
Dividend increases will resume âin line with the earnings growth of the bank,â he said.