Those bullish on Wharf say both the asset swap and the Omni sale are good for the firm.

CNN: BUSINESS

Even without an asset swap, it's no secret that JPMorgan Chase would like to build on its retail division.

FORBES: Ready, Set, Sell

In an asset swap, JPMorgan could take the retail branches and cede some of its securities processing division to Bank of New York.

FORBES: Ready, Set, Sell

Although he had shifted his ownership to Atlantic via a complex Bahamas-based asset swap to minimize disclosure and taxes, Feeney continued to aggressively expand DFS, traveling the globe to conquer new markets, expand margins and outmaneuver rivals.

FORBES: Chuck Feeney: The Billionaire Who Is Trying To Go Broke

The asset swap suited both sides.

ECONOMIST: The rise of an American broking firm

Mr Mack has already noted Citigroup's recent swap of its asset-management arm for Legg Mason's brokerage operation.

ECONOMIST: Morgan Stanley

Short of liquidating the firm, a mixture of asset sales and a debt-equity swap may be the lesser of many evils.

ECONOMIST: State aid in Europe

Citigroup and Legg Mason are said to be discussing a swap of the latter's broking operation for most of the former's asset-management business, because having the two compromises brokers' duty to their clients.

ECONOMIST: American securities regulation