"Massive" Bank Merger

Merrill Lynch's chief investment strategist Richard Bernstein says banks and brokerages need ``massive'' consolidation. So who would be the candidates? HSBC is often speculated as a potential acquirer due to its relatively stable performance. So who would be the targets? How about HSBC-UBS (which certainly is a clumsy name)? HSBC-ML had also been rumoured for a link-up previously though the cultural gap will prove difficult to bridge. How about an All-American marriage? With the current situation of the US banks, it will be anything but likely.