The FINANCIAL -- According to Banking business review, OKO Bank has signed an agreement to acquire the entire share capital of K-Rahoitus, a provider of financing services to corporate customers, for approximately E30 million.

The two companies have also agreed on cooperation according to which K-Rahoitus will continue to offer financing services to Kesko Agro and Konekesko customers. Existing customers continue to be served without interruption. The acquisition of K-Rahoitus strengthens OKO Bank's position as a provider of lease finance services in Finland. The group's banking operations will also expand in the Baltic countries.

Timo Ritakallio, deputy CEO of OKO Bank, said: "Both OKO Bank's and OP-Pohjola Group's corporate customers have expanded their operations in the Baltic countries, so we too want to increase our services in this quickly growing market. This deal and the related cooperation agreement will further deepen the work we started together in 2006."

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