Aug 21 (Reuters) - Canada's TD Bank Group said

on Wednesday it expects to finalize a global resolution of civil

and criminal investigations by U.S. regulators into its

anti-money laundering (AML) program by the calendar year-end.

In anticipation of the resolution, which will include

monetary and non-monetary penalties, the lender said it has

taken a further provision of $2.6 billion in its third-quarter

financial results.

"We recognize the seriousness of our U.S. AML program

deficiencies and the work required to meet our obligations and

responsibilities is of paramount importance," CEO Bharat Masrani

said in a statement.

TD also announced the sale of 40.5 million shares of Charles

Schwab ( SCHW ) that will cut its ownership in the U.S.

brokerage down to 10.1% from 12.3%.

The bank had said in May a comprehensive overhaul of its

U.S. and global AML program was well underway. The bank has been

subject to multiple regulatory probes over its AML compliance

program.