[THE INVESTOR] KTB Investment & Securities on Jan. 15 denied rumors that it is mulling acquiring another brokerage Golden Bridge Investment & Securities.

“(KTB) has not considered acquiring Golden Bridge Investment & Securities” the company said in a disclosure, in response to a clarification sought by the stock market operator Korea Exchange.

There were news reports that KTB is likely to take over Golden Bridge, with equity capital of 52 billion won (US$46.4 million), potentially by teaming up with other financial investors.

Prior to the news, Golden Bridge had been in talks with information technology service provider Sangsangin for a stock takeover deal worth 42 billion won. However, Sangsangin -- with two savings banks affiliates -- stopped short of gaining the regulatory nod for owning Golden Bridge’s 41.84 percent shares. It withdrew its bid earlier this month.

By Son Ji-hyoung (consnow@heraldcorp.com)