Northern Trust says it is fully committed to remaining independent

NEW YORK, June 23 (Reuters) - Northern Trust NTRS.O is fully committed to remaining independent, the bank said on Monday, after a Wall Street Journal report said Bank of New York Mellon had approached the asset and wealth manager to express interest in a merger.

"I can tell you that Northern Trust is fully committed to remaining independent and continuing to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders, as we have for the past 135 years," its spokesperson said in an email.

The comments came after a Wall Street Journal report said Bank of New York Mellon Corp BK.N had approached Northern Trust recently to express interest in a merger with its smaller rival.