21.   Banking stocks such as Banca San Paolo di Brescia SpA also rose, bolstered by a series of acquisitions and alliance talks that are consolidating the industry.

22.   Banking stocks were mostly higher, led by Malayan Banking Bhd., the largest bank in Malaysia.

23.   Banking stocks, especially Sanwa Bank, which has close ties to Kizu, led the market lower.

24.   Bank stocks, even those of acquiring companies, have generally been rising, as investors bet on the improvements banks can make by buying each other.

25.   Banking stocks also declined amid concern their regional operations could be hurt by the business slowdown in Southeast Asia.

26.   Banking stocks also fell on speculation more corporate defaults are looming.

27.   Banking stocks fell this week on concern the mortgage price war will hurt earnings.

28.   Banking stocks have gained amid expectations the deal will spark a series of takeovers.

29.   But banking stocks were not among the big winners.

30.   Colombian stocks rose as falling interest rates attracted investors to bank stocks.