Kookmin Bank (KB) is the largest bank by both asset value and market capitalization in South Korea. Kookmin intended to takeover Korea Exchange Bank, a government-owned bank with offices in foreign countries, by the end of 2006, to facilitate foreign exchange and corporate banking (as in contrast Kookmin is more well known for its consumer banking services). The deal to buy Korea Exchange Bank was contingent on not finding any evidence of criminality when the Loan Star Equity Funds purchased Korea Exchange Bank in 2003. However as of December 2006, the takeover will not happen having been cancelled by Lone Star.
