In the United States, the regional bank WACHOVIA has bought up SOUTHTRUST in a share deal representing a total of $14.3 billion. WACHOVIA will give 0.89 of its own shares for every SOUTHTRUST share. The operation will give rise to a new entity established in 15 US states, with stock exchange capitalisation of $76 billion. It will manage assets of $464 billion. It will employ 98,000 (after 4300 job losses) and between 130 and 150 branches should close down in the next two years, that is, 5%...