Had certain U. S. bankers, who predicted a fortnight ago* that five or six branch banking institutions would control banking in this country foreseen last week's news, they might have been even more vigorous in their condemnation of the McFadden branch banking bill and its Hull amendments.
This news, of such forensic value, was that the Irving Bank & Trust Co. and the American Exchange-Pacific National Bank, both of Manhattan, were merging. Directors approved the move; stockholders will soon vote. Together they have two main offices and 23 branches. Their combined capital...