Private US investors interested in Discount Bank

Finance Minister Silvan Shalom met several days ago in the United States with private investors who could acquire the control in Israel Discount Bank, Ma'ariv reports.

The meeting was initiated by the investors, who prefer to remain unidentified at this time.

The investors' prime focus is Israel Discount Bank of New York. Bank Discount has recently examined a Wall Street offering of the New York branch, and approached several underwriters.

In addition, Bank Discount could effect the sale Mercantile Discount Bank shares to Sir Bernard Schreier.

Bank Discount could ask MI Holdings, the government company responsible for handling state assets and privatization, to approve an additional sale of 5% of bank shares in order to increase its capital base.

The state owns 55% in the bank.