SINCE Halifax Bank of Scotland was swallowed by Lloyds TSB in a contentious rescue deal in 2008, Scotland's banking sector has been dominated by the combined Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland.
With the Clydesdale in retreat, the acquisition of Lloyds TSB Scotland by the Co-operative Bank brings a badly needed challenger into the market.
Much attention will be on the ostensibly knockdown price at which Co-operative has acquired a business that has 632 branches both sides of the Border.
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