1.   American banks have bought into investment banking and brokerage firms have combined with one another, all in pursuit of size and scope to maintain market position and profitability.

2.   Financial services firms are rapidly combining.

3.   He said he expected more law firms to combine as a way to gain a national presence.

4.   If mergers continue, why not let this newer, larger media firm combine with Anheuser-Busch to market a beverage called Malt Disney?

5.   Negotiating teams for Andersen and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu continued meeting on Monday in Manhattan, reviewing possible terms for a deal that would result in the two firms combining.

6.   Paine Webber and other brokerage shares have gyrated recently amid a wave of mergers as firms combine to offer more financial services to wider range of clients.

7.   The firm is combining several business units along with its headquarters for defense businesses in Woodland Hills.

8.   The firm combines this packaging with a small, powerful refrigeration unit.

9.   The two firms are combining as mergers sweep the financial-services industry.

10.   Both firms will combine know-how and services such as advise on mergers and acquisitions as well as initial public offerings.