CIMB chief executive officer Nazir Razak said that the Malaysian bank is in discussion with the UK lender and may purchase existing broking licenses or apply for new ones in both geographies.
CIMB has reported 14% growth in second-quarter earnings, when the global biggies are groaning under loses. The bank is talking to acquire a 50% stake in Australian brokerage RBS Morgans.
"The whole idea is to build a comprehensive Asia-Pacific stockbroking and investment banking network," Nazir said.
"India and Korea are essential to such a network. We feel that we must be in both markets."
After taking charge as CEO by Nazir in 2006, the Malaysian lender has acquired 19 firms worth $2.3bn and the RBS deal, if becomes successful, will leverage further acquisition of investment banking and broking operations in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand, said CIMB.
