In Japan, SANWA BANK LTD is to integrate the group made up of TOKAI BANK and ASAHI BANK LTD (see EI of 30 September 1999). The merger of the three banks, all specialised in retail banking, will give rise to Japan's second largest banking group with a total balance sheet of 106.590 bn yen, behind the future MIZUHO FINANCIAL GROUP, employing 37,435 people in 1,005 branches in Japan and 56 abroad.