UPDATE 1-Arden says trading still tough but client list grows

* Sees opportunity in current market

* Says commission levels down on last year

* Confident in potential for its business model (Adds details)

April 22 (Reuters) - British stockbroker Arden Partners Plc (ARDN.L) said on Wednesday trading had been difficult as expected since it reported its year-end results, but its corporate client list had grown by 30 percent.

"We see current market conditions as representing an opportunity for a relationship based broker and since the year end we have grown our corporate client list by 30 percent and continue to target new gains," Arden said in a statement.

The company said commission levels were down on last year. However, there were a number of potential corporate transactions in progress which might come to fruition.

Arden said it was confident in the potential for its model to be both defensive in bear markets and to grow strongly on a market recovery.

Arden shares were indicated down 1 percent at 48.5 pence at 0643 GMT. (Reporting by Srikanth Srinivasa in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)