1.   The two banks have announced plans to merge next year.

2.   The other banks are going to be very eager to help, provided that they see that he has a specific plan.

3.   The two banks merged to form one large institution.

4.   If any individual bank expands lending faster than the other banks in the system, it will experience a drain of its cash reserves.

5.   Along with Istituto Mobiliare Italiano SpA, the three banks are teaming to create a counter-influence in capital markets to Mediobanca.

6.   Amid the turmoil, the two banks appear to be responding in very different ways.

7.   Ambroveneto is considered the most likely contender because the two banks have complementary businesses, and executives of the banks have close relations.

8.   Analysts questioned how much the acquisition would help the two banks.

9.   Analysts expect San Raphael-based Westamerica to cut costs because the two banks serve some of the same markets.

10.   Analysts said they expect the two banks will try again to work out an agreement.