Stockholm  - Nordic banking group Nordea Monday signed a deal to buy regional Danish group Fionia Bank for 900 million kroner (177 million dollars).

Fionia Bank's 400 employees and 29 branches, as well as some 75,000 private customers and 9,500 corporate customers, were to be transferred to Nordea.

Nordea was created in 2000 but traces it roots to 1997 when Merita Bank of Finland and Nordbanken of Sweden formed MeritaNordbanken. It has some 10 million customers and 1,400 branch offices. (dpa)