This distribution, combined with efficient collection systems has resulted in a non-performing loan rate of 5.5% as of Sept. 30, which is actually an improvement over the 12.3 % from the year prior and well below the consumer finance banking average in Mexico.

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Further articles on www.forbes.com have shown that of the 2, 000 biggest companies in the world, the majority are oil and gas companies, mining firms, automobile conglomerates, finance and banking multinationals and consumer-focused corporations.

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SMBC, like all of Japan's megabanks, is eager to expand into consumer finance and retail banking of all sorts.

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During the eighties, I saw this phenomenon in broadcasting, gaming casinos, natural resources, department stores, banking and finance as well as technology and consumer non-durables.

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Weill grabbed hold of sleepy consumer finance company Commercial Credit and used it as his vehicle for conquering the banking industry.

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That was right before the housing markets in many parts of the country began an extraordinary boom and also a time when many banks were scrambling to get bigger in consumer finance, attracted by its promise of fat fee income, and scaling back in branch banking, which was considered low-profit and, well, boring.

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