Dutch bank ABN Amro NV widened its global scope yesterday by snapping up Banco Real, Brazil's fourth largest privately held bank. The deal was ABN Amro's largest acquisition to date, partially satisfying an ambition to forge a worldwide banking network.

With a merged total of 1,420 branches, the Dutch bank - which a banking and stockbroking operation in Ireland - said it now considers Brazil, along with the US midwest and the Netherlands, as another home market.