Cramer Said BofA Could Buy NCC or CMA

On CNBC, Jim Cramer makes comments on Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), saying the company is still looking to expand and potential takeover targets are National City Corp. (NYSE: NCC) or Comerica Inc. (NYSE: CMA). NOTE: BofA is pushing the US to expand the deposit 10% deposit cap.

Citigroup (C) Higher on Management Shake-Up and Break-Up Rumors

Shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) are 3% higher on rumors of a management shake-up and rumors the company could break-up into various companies.
There is market talk that Banc of America's departing CFO Molina could take the job at Citigroup. Recently rumors swirled that Citigroup's CFO Sallie Krawcheck was not happy with the job and was on her way out, although the company denied the reports.

Merrill Lynch Analyst says Bank of America (BAC) Interested in Acquiring Barclays Bank (BCS)

Merrill Lynch analyst says Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) may be very interested in acquiring Barclays Bank (NYSE: BCS).

The analyst cites more international exposure in fixed-income, high yield, treasury management services, European credit card operations and other banking businesses.

Allstate (ALL) Mentioned As Takeover Target Again - Chicago Tribune

According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, Allstate (NYSE: ALL) takeover talk is being discussed again for the second time in less than six months. Morgan Stanley published a recent report identifying two dozen cheap stock that could be takeover targets. Nine were financial-services companies.

Besides Allstate, Morgan Stanley's list included Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Countrywide Financial (NYSE: CFC).

Last summer, Prudential Equity Group LLC named Allstate to its list of possible targets.

When asked about the possibility of a takeover at the company's May annual meeting, Allstate's CEO Edward Liddy said the company wishes to stay independent. Liddy plans to step down as CEO at the end of 2006. He will be replaced Thomas J. Wilson, who is currently president and chief operating officer. Liddy will remain chairman until his retirement from the company in the spring of 2008.

Reports Bank of America (BAC) to Acquire Charles Schwab's U.S. Trust Unit for $3.3B

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) plans to purchase U.S. Trust, the private-banking arm of Charles Schwab Corp (Nasdaq: SCHW), for $3.3 billion. According to the paper, the purchase would create a new leader in lucrative business of managing rich people's money, which has long been dominated by JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) and Citigroup (NYSE: C).