Charlotte-based Wachovia formally opened the European headquarters of Wachovia Bank International in Dublin on Friday. The new offices received approval from Irish Financial Regulator and the Federal Reserve in April. The international bank provides the banking platform for Wachovia's European capital markets businesses. Wachovia Bank International has 27 employees in Dublin. During the first six months of operation, Wachovia Bank International has grown to US$15 billion in assets. The office is expected to have 35 employees by the end of 2007, with space to grow to 100 employees over the next few years. Speaking at the opening, European Union Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said, "I'm delighted to have been formally invited to the opening of Wachovia's European headquarters in Dublin today. I'm sure the regulatory framework we have created in Europe over the past decade will facilitate Wachovia as it moves forward to develop markets for its financial services across the member states."