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Focuses on the continued devaluation of Bank of America Corp.'s stock. Percentage decline in Bank of America's share price since its acquisition of FleetBoston Financial Corp. was announced; View of analysts that the swoon in stock price could linger; Speculation that the price paid by Bank of America for FleetBoston; Comment from Frank Barkocy, director of research at Keefe Managers Inc., regarding the bank's plan to cut costs while not cutting many jobs; Reaction of Bank of America to the criticism they are receiving for the price paid to acquire Fleet.

The article looks at the decision of Bank of America (BofA) Corp. chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Kenneth D. Lewis to consider the acquisition of the investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. It states that Lehman Brothers has a history of attempting to turn difficulties to its advantage. It presumes the move has been influenced by the declining stock price of BofA and the possibility of federal government support for the deal. It cites that the acquisition would expand the coverage of BofA outside the country.

The article deals with the effect of the ruling of the Dutch Supreme Court on the selling of ABN Amro Holdings NV to Barclays PLC on other banks bidding for ABN. The companies signed a merger contract in April. However, in the same time, ABN decided to sell La Salle, which has business operations in Michigan and Illinois, to Bank of America for $21 billion.

The article reports on the efforts of Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC to reach a pact with Bank of America Corp. over the ownership of LaSalle Bank of Chicago, a unit of ABN Amro Holding NV. Several scenarios are possible concerning the bid of Royal Bank of Scotland Group for ABN Amro Holding. Initial attempts by Royal Bank of Scotland Group to reach a settlement with Bank of America was rebuffed.

Presents an update on the plan of Bank of America Corp. to acquire FleetBoston Financial Corp. as of March 2004.

Reports that Bank of America has agreed to purchase a stake in Grupo Financiero Santander Serfin, a large Mexican bank. Its intention to match its competitors within the Hispanic banking market; Money transfers between the United States and Mexico; Details of the purchase agreement, including price.

The article reports on a delay in ABN Amro Holding NV's sale of its LaSalle bank unit to Bank of America. A Dutch court ordered the $21 billion sale to be stopped until shareholders can vote on it. A discussion of the impact the delay could have on a $72.27 billion bid for ABN which came from a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, is presented.