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The article reports on the move of First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (FNF Group) and FNFG Merger Sub Inc. to ask for approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under section three of the Bank Holding Co. Act (BHC Act) to acquire NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. It notes the effort of the Board to evaluate all the papers submitted for the request. It mentions the approval of the Board and is conditioned on compliance of FNF Group with the commitments imposed in the order.

The article discusses the order by the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve Sytem that approves the acquisition by financial holding company CIT Group Inc. and its subsidiary CarbonMerger Sub LLC of the bank holding company IMB Holdco LLC and its subsidiary One West Bank. Topics mentioned include the approval based on Bank Holding Company Act (BHT Act), the publish of the proposal notice in the "Federal Register" journal, and the comments based on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

The article reports on a request filed by finance company Mercantile Bank Corp. to buy and merge with financial services firm Firstbank Corp. and subsidiaries Firstbank and Keystone Community Bank. Topics covered include the effect of the third section of the Bank Holding Company Act on the request and publication of feedback on the request in the Federal Register. Also mentioned are the consolidation assets of Mercantile Bank Corp.

The article discusses the approval of the U.S. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on Green Dot Bank DBA's proposal to acquire certain assets and assume liabilities of the federal savings bank GE Capital Retail Bank (GECRB) under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (Bank Merger Act). Some of the factors that the board have considered in approving the proposal are outlined. These include competition, financial and managerial resources, and financial stability.

The article reports on the analysis regarding bank mergers and its goals, methods and justification in the banking market changes in the U.S. The authors stress on the possible effects of bank mergers in business competitions. They note that the banking environment is now changing with the increased in bank merger or acquisition. They emphasize the possibilities for banks to exercise market power when there are few competitors. The situation may result to fewer loans with high interest rates. Moreover, the authors note the decrease of economic efficiency when market power is high. However, the authors affirm that the means of analysis regarding the approval of bank merger still make sense regardless of a changed environment.

The article reports on the submission of application by Regions Financial Corp. to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to merge and acquire the subsidiary bank of AmSouth Bancorporation company in Birmingham, Alabama. Regions Bank company has also applied to merge with AmSouth and retain and operate its branches and offices, as well as to acquire Cahaba International Inc. The Board has approved the application because it complies wirh the Bank Holding Company, Bank Merger and Federal Reserve Acts.

The article discusses a case concerning an order approving the acquisition of a bank under the guidelines of the Bank Holding Company (BHC) Act of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) in the U.S. It provides updates on the request of the New York Community Bancorp Inc. and New York Community Newco Inc. to acquire Atlantic Bank of New York. The Board has approved the acquisition, consequent to the companies' compliance with the conditions imposed under the section 3 of the BHC Act.

• Each Federal Reserve Bank defines the banking markets in its District at the local rather than the state level. The effect of bank mergers on market competition depends crucially on this definition of size, as competition could be stifled if the combined deposit share of two merging banks in one market is too large. • The elimination of state laws against branching now enables banks to compete across states-implying that banking markets are getting bigger and spurring a "local or state?" debate over market size. • An analysis of bank market size suggests that branch prices-the amount a bank pays to buy another bank's branches-may be a better indicator of size than the current measure, bank deposit rates. • The results indicate that banking markets are not necessarily local. Prices for bank branch sales in ten northeastern states over the 1990s are more closely correlated with bank concentration at the larger, state level than at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several requests of banks to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in the U.S. ABC Bancorp requested the approval of the Board to merge with First National Banc Inc. in Georgia and to acquire its subsidiary banks. Bank of America Corp. asked the Board's approval to merge with MBNA Corp. Cathay General Bancorp asked an approval of the Board to acquire 100% shares of Great Eastern Bank.

Reports legal developments in the banking industry in the U.S. Order of the Federal Reserve Board to approve the merger of Capital City Bank Group Inc. with First Alachua Banking Corp.; Approval of the request of C-B-G Inc, a bank holding company, to acquire voting shares from Washington Bancorp; Decree approving the merger of PNC Financial Services Group Inc., a financial holding company with Riggs National Corp.

Explores the effect of mergers on product markets by examining the evolution of market structure in metropolitan retail banking industry in North Carolina. Basis of the antitrust policy toward bank mergers; Implication of the market-power hypothesis on the relationship between prices and concentration; Characteristics of the banking markets.

Reports on legal developments of interest to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. Amendment to the Federal Reserve System's Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions; Orders issued under Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act; Orders issued under Bank Merger Act.

Reports on legal developments pertaining to various bank holding company, bank service corporation and bank merger orders in the U.S. as of November 2003. Technical amendment to Regulation F dealing with Interbank Liabilities; Request of Cathay Bancorp Inc. for the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to approve merger with GBC Bancorp and thereby acquire General Bank; Release of minutes of the Board's meeting on discount rates from July 7 through August 11, 2003.

Deals with the antitrust analysis in the banking industry perform by federal bank regulatory agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice. Method of antitrust analysis in the banking industry; Evidence on the validity of the assumptions used in the analysis of bank mergers; Test of the structure-conduct-performance hypothesis.

Examines the potential consequences of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act for the structure of the United States financial services industry. Overview of mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry; Expansion of bank powers prior to Gramm-Leach-Bliley; Analysis of the market reaction to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; Consequences of consolidation in the financial sector.

Explores the relationship between consolidation and lending to purchase homes. Trends in banking consolidation; Consolidation and market-level changes in mortgage lending; Consolidation and mortgage lending at the banking organization level.

Discusses the implications of banking consolidation on small business lending in the United States. Lending patterns of small and large banks; Profile of small business lending; Availability of small business loans.

Presents several developments on various bank holding company, bank service corporation, bank merger orders and pending cases in the United States. Expanded examination cycle for certain small insured institutions; Order approving merger of bank holding companies and acquisitions of bank.

Presents several legal decisions by the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve System. Amendment to Riegel-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994; Order approving acquisition of shares of a bank holding company, ANB Holding Company Ltd.; Order approving acquisition of a bank, Chase Manhattan Corporation.

Provides information on various bank holding companies, bank service corporation and bank merger orders and pending cases. Amendment to government securities sales practices; Orders issued under International Banking Act; Federal Consumer Leasing Act Disclosures; More information.