51.   The banks said the merged entity would be the eighth largest in the euro zone in terms of assets.

52.   The banks said the merged one would be the eighth largest in the euro zone in terms of assets.

53.   The dollar gained ground against its main rivals Wednesday, bolstered by stronger U.S. economic data that contrasted with softer economic reports in Japan and the euro zone.

54.   The ECB, which manages monetary policy for the euro zone, balked at cutting interest rates last week, arguing that the threat of inflation remains strong.

55.   The construction and retail confidence indicators also increased in both the EU and euro zone and industrial capacity utilization remained steady.

56.   The European Central Bank, which sets monetary policy for the euro zone, could be forced to lift interest rates to support the euro and stem inflationary pressures.

57.   The Frankfurt-based European Central Bank, the chief monetary authority in the euro zone, said the smooth changeover showed people approved of the euro.

58.   The new bank notes are uniform throughout the euro zone, with no national hallmarks of any kind.

59.   The reason is that while bills are the same across the euro zone, each country has stamped one side of its own coins with a national symbol.

60.   The three EU countries outside the euro zone are Denmark, Sweden and Britain.