London-based Standard Chartered received regulatory approval from the Korean government on June 17 to set up financial holding firm named Standard Chartered Korea Ltd.
The new holding company has five affiliates, including banking unit SC First Bank and a securities company, under its wing.
Standard Chartered acquired Korea First Bank in April 2005 for 3.4 trillion won (US$2.7 billion) and renamed it SC First Bank in September the same year, the largest-ever takeover by the British banking giant.
The move by Standard Chartered raised the number of financial holding firms in South Korea to six including Woori Finance Holdings Co. Under a holding firm system, it is easier for financial companies to seek further takeovers and to develop and sell a wide range of financial products.
There has been market speculation that Standard Chartered is interested in buying Kumho Life Insurance to beef up its business after creating a financial services firm.
(Yonhap) cg

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