Its investment-banking and asset-management businesses are puny.

ECONOMIST: Blossoming in Japan

Paribas comprises four: investment banking, shareholdings in other companies, asset management and a retail-lending outfit called Cetelem.

ECONOMIST: French banking

Wendy Trevisani, associate portfolio manager with Thornburg Investment Management, says E-Trade will succeed with its diversification from pure trading into banking and lending products.

FORBES: Pick One Stock