In a growing industry business normally expand, create new branch offices/depots and maybe create new brand names.
The opposite is true in a shrinking economy.
What does it say about the banking cartel when they are closing branch offices everywhere, and then we see the merger/takeover of one of the largest brands.
Contraction in any industry, is called consolidation, it happens when times are tough & costs need to be reduced.
https://www.ccn.com/why-the-66-billion-bbt-suntrust-merger-is-the-first-of-many-banking-shakeups