E-Cortal, the online broking subsidiary of BNP Paribas, is expanding into the Spanish and Italian markets through a combination of acquisitions and partnerships with local players.

It has acquired the Italian mutual fund broking firm JD Farrods, for an undisclosed sum, and is linking up in Spain with two existing online financial players, Invertia, a subsidiary of Terra Lycos, and Infobolsa, one of the largest financial information sites in Spain.