I think the brokers, Schwab included, are really redefining themselves as asset gatherers, and as they look at where the growth is in the asset management sector, it's at the top of the food chain. This deal is a great value proposition for both shareholder groups.

272

We had expected, at least most of us anyway, that US [Bancorp] was the more likely candidate to merge with Northwest.

168

We had looked for Wells to enter into a merger but we didn't know Norwest would be the other partner.

156