Merger could create Mexico's No. 2 bank.

MEXICO CITY -- Groupo Financiero Serfin and Groupo Financiero Inverlat are discussing a combination that would create Mexico's second-biggest bank, an official at one of the banks said.

With nearly $36 billion in assets, the combined institution would surpass Groupo Financiero Bancomer, which has $34.7 billion in assets. Groupo Financiero Banamex-Accival is the largest Mexican banking group, with $42.9 billion in assets.

The combination would create opportunities for cost cutting. It also would pair two of the strongest personalities in Mexican banking - Adrian Sada, chairman of Groupo Financiero Serfin, and Agustin Legoretta, who led a buyout of Groupo Financiero Inverlat's main unit, Multibanco Comerex, in 1992.

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