They Might Be Giants

From Bombay to Boston, the push for consolidation in the financial services industry continues at a white-hot pace. Hokkaido Takushoku Bank of Japan and the UK's Barclays Bank announced a 'tie-in' arrangement in June, paving the way for Barclays to sell its financial products in Japan. The New York-based Bankers Trust Company and Nippon bank go one better: they merge by taking equity stakes in one another. The Bank of Montreal snatches up Chicago-based Harris Bankcorp, then dives right back