Dexia said yesterday that it was considering its holdings in its Dutch subsidiary Banque Artesia Nederland, which has a sizable private bank...

Dexia said yesterday that it was considering its holdings in its Dutch subsidiary Banque Artesia Nederland, which has a sizable private banking business. The Belgian bank said it was “exploring various possibilities regarding the development of its subsidiary Banque Artesia”. Dexia gave no further indications what its strategy is likely to be towards the Dutch bank, but analysts believe the Brussels-based bank is looking to sell it. Banque Artesia Nederland has been a part of the Dexia Group since the acquisition of Artesia Banking Corporation in 2001. The Dutch bank currently employs 291 people, 183 of whom operate from the head office in Amsterdam, and the remainder in a network of 9 branches. In 2005 Banque Artesia Nederland posted a net profit of €28.4 million ($36.1 million).