The second choice is clearly undesirable, as it could potentially trigger instability in the overall system. The consolidation scenario that we are considering for implementation in 2005 will begin with a process of identifying the medium and large banks that are currently in very sound shape and have adequate human resources to expand market share without sacrificing prudential banking principles.
Our expectation is that these will become the anchor banks capable of stimulating a process of strengthening among other banks whose future ability to compete is reportedly constrained by a range of factors.