YORKSHIRE Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Australia Bank, has acquired the total shareholding of contract hire specialist Eden Vehicle Rentals. The banking group already owned 75% of Carlisle-based EVR, which has a fleet of 13,000 contract hire vehicles, and has purchased the remaining 25% shareholding in the business from County Garage Group.

Dealership group County established EVR in 1962, but has now decided to focus on its Ford and Jaguar franchises. It will, however, remain, EVR's principal supplier in the north of England. National Australia Bank said the acquisition formed part of a strategy to create a global leasing and asset finance business, building on its Custom Fleet operations in Australia and New Zealand.