completed the acquisition of international private trust group, Standard Chartered Equitor.

Bank president Mr. Charles Vaughan-Johnson confirmed that the completion took place in Hong Kong last week Tuesday.

He said: "This group now becomes part of Bermuda Trust International (BTI), our private client services division.

"We are delighted to say that this puts us in a strong strategic position in private client trust services in the Asia Pacific region and in Europe.

"This will effectively double the revenue and double the assets under administration for Bermuda Trust International, which certainly is significant.'' Mr. Vaughan-Johnson, who has just returned from the Far East, was joined in Hong Kong for the signing by bank chairman Mr. Eldon Trimingham, deputy chairman the Hon. Charles Collis and board director, Mr. David Hamshere.

Mr. John Hawkins, executive vice president, Asia Pacific, said: "In addition to having established a dominant position in institutional trust services in the Asia Pacific Region in November 1993, we have significantly enhanced our capability with this acquisition of trust companies in Hong Kong, the Cook Islands, Western Samoa, New Zealand and Jersey.

"These companies and locations positively augment our existing trust business in Hong Kong and Singapore.'' The five offices have been re-named Bermuda Trust International.

The head of BTI, the bank's global private trust company, Mr. Cummings Zuill, who is the president of Bermuda Trust Company Ltd., said: "This completion of a major portion of our strategy in the Asia Pacific region places us in a very competitive position for the provision of services for the organisation, administration and management of private wealth on a global basis, through our wide capabilities now expanded to 15 geographic locations around the world.'' Mr. Eldon Trimingham.