Total assets of "Big Banks" in Europe and US by total asset cap

The total assets of commercial banks in both systems under consideration may differ (€ 37 trillion in Europe and $ 23 trillion in US dollars), but the ratio of the sum of the 20 largest banks in each system to the industry as a whole (ie of Europe and the USA respectively) continues to be close. This can be understood if we look back to the past where the trend of consolidation began to emerge, initially as National Unification which offered opportunities to reduce costs through mergers in the domestic market. Then due to the global economy, with an emphasis on cross-border mergers leading to an even smaller number of banks with large financial institutions offering a variety of retail services from simple deposits and short-term loans to large venture capital fund management.

The shrinking numbers of banks in both systems, with the 20 largest commercial banks in each system accounting for 85% and 82% in the US and Europe. The ultimate goal in mergers is for commercial banks from mergers and acquisitions, so that through range savings the additional services offered reduce the average cost, as well as economies of scale where offering a larger volume of services in an expanded market manages to reduce overall costs. Through merger you achieve the ultimate goal of reducing costs, accessing new markets, offering new services and consolidating large financial institutions by gaining a large share of the domestic and global market.