Internet trading company E*Trade Group has made moves to increase its global presence through a number of acquisitions. Most recently, it acquired a 100 per cent stake in E*Trade UK, which now operates as its wholly-owned subsidiary in that market.

E*Trade plans to establish an Irish presence in the next 12 months, offering investors lower prices for trade execution than most brokerage houses and the convenience of instantaneous trades.

Following its purchase of Telebank in June, E*Trade has moved into Internet banking and is offering consumers Internet checking, money-market checking, savings accounts and certificates of deposit.