Briefly:

Previous Brieflies this week: | <ahref=”link” title=”title”>MON | <ahref=”link” title=”title”>TUE | <ahref=”link” title=”title”>WED | <ahref=”link” title=”title”>THURS |

(March 19, 2007) Scotiabank announced Monday that it has signed a strategic co-operation memorandum with the China-based Bank of Dalian Co. Ltd., formerly Dalian City Commercial Bank.

The memorandum outlines Scotiabank’s intention to explore a strategic partnership by way of a minority investment in one of China’s larger commercial bank.

Founded in March 1998 and with assets approaching $8 billion US, BOD is an amalgamation of urban co-operatives based in the city of Dalian. The bank has 90 branches and 1,650 employees.

Celebrating its 25th year of doing business in China, Scotiabank said it currently operates in 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, with about 700 employees and 26 branches and offices.

Scotiabank’s senior VP of Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Michele Kwok, said that the partnership with BOD follows in line with the bank’s focus on growth outside of Canada.

“We are optimistic about the opportunities that are presented through strategic investments in countries like China and particularly in the vibrant city of Dalian,” she said.

• • •

Franklin Templeton launches new fixed-income funds

(March 19, 2007) Franklin Templeton Investments has expanded its fixed-income lineup by introducing two new funds to meet the growing demand among Canadians for yield.

The main new fund is the Bissett Canadian Core Plus Bond Fund, a fund of funds that includes the new the Franklin Templeton Global Aggregate Bond Fund and the existing Bissett Bond Fund. FTI hopes the new product will provide investors with potentially higher yield and some long-term capital appreciation.

“Many Canadians are looking to diversify their fixed-income investments by increasing their exposure to global bonds,” said Don Reed, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. “Our new Canadian Core Plus Bond Fund provides investors access to global bonds through the new Global Aggregate Bond Fund, while still providing them a core Canadian bond weighting.”

The Global Aggregate Bond Fund will invest in a combination of corporate, agency and government debt securities from numerous countries, including emerging markets, and at least 85% of the fund will be hedged back into Canadian currency, FTI said.

• • •

Bloomberg launches institutional currency trading platform

(March 19, 2007) Bloomberg Tradebook Services announced Monday the launch of the electronic Bloomberg Tradebook FX marketplace, to be known as “Bloomberg Tradebook FX.” The trading platform is designed to provide institutional traders with the ability to trade foreign currency anonymously within it and to implement trading strategies through the use of algorithms.

Bloomberg said Tradebook FX will be integrated with the Bloomberg Professional service, providing users with supporting news, data and research analytics.

The platform currently provides a marketplace in number of international currencies. Advanced analytics, additional trading algorithms and FX Forwards will launch during the second quarter of this year.

AIG International Inc. will provide liquidity to traders through the platform and credit through existing contractual and banking relationships, Bloomberg said.

“With the addition of FX and seamless integration with world-class news, data and research analytics on the Bloomberg Professional service, Bloomberg Tradebook and its affiliates provide a true multi-asset class liquidity hub for institutional investors seeking better executions in global equities, futures, options and foreign exchange,” said Kim Bang, president of Bloomberg Tradebook.

<align=center> • • •

(03/19/07)