41.   Other recent rumored suitors have included U.S. investment bank Merrill Lynch and big German banks.

42.   The Amsterdam-based company said all units, except its international corporate and investment banking operations were profitable.

43.   The strong performance was driven by growth in Latin American operations, investment banking fees, and interest-earning assets.

44.   Guan had repeatedly said the company aimed to be the Chinese version of US investment bank Merrill Lynch.

45.   This decision to suspend the Gemina merger was seen as a big blow to the prestige of Mediobanca, the dominant force in investment banking here.

46.   NatWest Markets is the worldwide corporate and investment banking arm of the National Westminster bank group, one of the biggest and best capitalised banks in the world.