Summary

Page 2

A Platinum Year With a Huge First Half

Mergers and acquisitions in financial services set a record last year - in the first six months. But the second half was one of the slowest in recent years.

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Sky Financial: On the Fast Track in Ohio

The company four acquisitions last year, all in the top 150, and is becoming a powerhouse in its home state.

Union Planters Takes Top Honors for the Most Deals

The Memphis-based company bought 13 banks and acquired branches from two others. Regions Financial was second with 11 deals.

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Norwest-Wells Deal: Closed But Far from Finished

Splicing two giant and culturally diverse companies together promises to be a drawn-out process, and retaining customers is a major priority.

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Europeans, Looking at Deutsche Bank Deal, Say Me Too

They are mounting a counteroffensive against the invasion of Europe by U.S.-based banking companies. Their major need is investment banking capability.

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Where Have All the Banking Companies Gone?

A graphic depicts the names that have disappeared ove two decades and the new ones that have emerged on the banking map of the United States.

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The Y2K Problem Is Having an Impact on Merger Plans

Some companies may be postponing deals because they need to pay attention to the glitch, or because they are afraid of buying trouble.