Define the following terms:

• Riegle-Neal Act
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
• FDIC Improvement Act
• Systemic risk
• Too big to fail

Define a large bank merger?

Why did the number of these mergers increase beginning in 1997?

In what other ways have large bank mergers changed in recent years?

Distinguish between economies of scale and economies of scope in banking.

What opportunities have regulatory changes in the 1990s created for banks to pursue these economies?

How do mergers enhance banks and abilities to diversify risk?

Have mergers reduced competition in banking at the local level? How about at the national level? How does the Riegle-Neal Act restrain the size of banks?

Please be as detailed as possible.