Explaining the rising concentration of banking assets in the 1990s

Poole, Jennifer P.; Stiroh, Kevin J.

Journal Article

Explaining the rising concentration of banking assets in the 1990s

Abstract: In recent years, the nation's largest bank holding companies have sharply increased their market share of assets. Have these institutions achieved their dominance by expanding their existing subsidiaries or by merging with other bank holding companies? A study of industry data for 1990-99 suggests that the increased market share of the largest companies is attributable almost entirely to external growth through mergers and acquisitions.

Keywords: Bank assets; Bank mergers; Bank holding companies;