Wachovia and SunTrust Shares Take Off on Merger Speculation

Shares of Wachovia Corp. and SunTrust Banks soared Friday in heavy volume amid merger rumors.

Some analysts said the two banks may be pursuing a merger of equals; others cited rumors that Wachovia and SunTrust were both exploring deals with other parties.

SunTrust rose $1.625 to $67.50, and Wachovia also rose $1.625, to $44.625.

Analysts said NationsBank Corp.'s agreement to purchase BankSouth Corp. earlier this month heightened the competitive battle in the South and could be behind a pending deal between Wachovia and SunTrust.

Such a deal has been rumored off and on for months, and has even been called the "Coke and Smoke" merger, so dubbed for SunTrust's equity stake in Coca-Cola Co. and Wachovia's Winston-Salem headquarters in the heart of North Carolina tobacco country.

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