Daily Mail, London, business briefs column

Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 9--ING DIRECT TO ACQUIRE ?3BN IN BRITISH SAVINGS: Dutch bank ING Direct is to acquire ?3bn-worth of British savings held by Kaupthing Edge and Heritable Bank after signing an agreement with the UK Treasury yesterday. Kaupthing Edge is the UK arm of troubled Icelandic bank Kaupthing, and Heritable Bank is owned by the recently nationalised Landesbanki. Johan de Wit, ING Direct UK's chief executive, said: "We are very pleased to have been able to take such rapid and decisive action that has provided Heritable Bank's customers, and those of Kaupthing Edge, with the reassurances they need. "We are working to rapidly ensure that it is business as usual for all customers," added de Wit. "We look forward to extending our approach of offering simple and straightforward products backed by award-winning... [read full story]