Scotiabank Expands in Asia

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $45.86 (Toronto symbol BNS: SI Rating: Above average) continues to expand its operations in China. The Shanghai Gold Exchange recently accepted the bank’s precious metals trading division, ScotiaMocatta, as a member. This is the first time that the exchange has granted membership to a foreign bank. ScotiaMocatta accounts for just a small portion of Bank of Nova Scotia’s overall earnings. However, membership in this exchange should help it take advantage of rising Chinese production of gold and other precious metals. China recently surpassed South Africa as the world’s largest gold producer. Bank of Nova Scotia has also established a referral relationship with HDFC Bank, a leading Indian bank. The agreement will give the Bank of Nova Scotia customer leads on Indians immigrating to Canada. It will also provide it with an Indian bank to recommend to its customers. Bank of Nova Scotia is a buy. buy…