41.   Nevertheless, he managed to lead a group of investors to buy the bank Multibanco Comermex SA, which later became Banco Inverlat SA.

42.   No one had ever considered going the other way, buying a bank outside the region.

43.   Norwest, which has bought more banks in three years than any other, according to SNL Securities in Richmond, Virginia, is faring better than most.

44.   On the other hand, Kovacevich has said he would buy another bank if the price was right, and in this case it apparently was.

45.   Out-of-state banks such as First Union Corp. of North Carolina and Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank Corp. have entered the market by buying local banks.

46.   Republic president Jeffrey C. Keil acknowledged that branch banks can efficiently grow only by buying other banks.

47.   Rumors of suitors, including Citigroup, looking to buy the bank on the cheap have dogged Fleet since last summer.

48.   Sarrazin said the funds would not be used to buy another bank.

49.   Since banks can underwrite securities, securities firms want to be able to buy banks.

50.   Several Mexican banking groups have expressed interest in buying those banks.