STRENGTH WITHOUT MONOPOLY. .
It is, indeed, this circumstance which lends exceptional interest to the latest banking amalgamation and Conceiv- ably explains the readiness with which Treasury ,eonsent appears to have been obtained. Having regard to the- difficult situations which have had to be faced during the past decade, and remembering the very large credits- which have had to be given to industry, there is un- doubtedly much to be said in favour of the banking amal- gamations of former years, which resulted in the formation of the exceptionally strong group of banks now familiarly known as the "Big Five. Nevertheless, it has been almost common around for some time past that, in the interests of banking and industry alike, the situation called, not for a lessening of the size, strength, or import- ance of the Big Five, but at the same time for the uprising of another institution of sufficient size and strength to warrant its being described as a "Big Sixth," and this, of course, is what has now happened in the fusion of the Lahea.shirefand Yorkshire with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, for 'although still falling considerably below the size of the iniallest of the Big Five, an institu- tion getting on for- £100,000,000 in deposits is of a size to be reckoned as among the -banking giants, and well able to hold its Own in all legitiinate competition. Both in -,Lancashire and in London, therefore, the fusion has had a most friendly reception. _
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