21.   The two profitable banks reportedly had planned to announce a merger on Wednesday.

22.   Anwar proposed that the highly profitable top local bank, Malayan Banking Bhd., which had recorded huge profits, take the lead in setting up such a fund.

23.   The Xinhua news agency quoted a BOC spokesman as saying the result keeps the BOC firmly at the top of the list of profitable Chinese banks.

24.   Until recently, Sumitomo had consistently been the most profitable bank in Japan.

25.   Sanwa Bank Ltd. nevertheless managed to retain its position as the most profitable bank although earnings were more than halved.