AWD in talks to buy Chase De Vere

GERMAN financial services firm AWD has confirmed it is in talks about buying Bank of Ireland’s British investment advice arm Chase De Vere.

The Irish Examiner reported the story on Monday and according to Reuters yesterday, AWD said it wanted to participate in consolidation within the industry but added it had not made a formal bid for Chase.

Bank of Ireland chief executive Brian Goggin said in November the group had decided Chase no longer fitted in with its strategy and was in discussions with a number of people interested in buying the firm.