Because of an economic downturn in the UK described by NAB's chief executive Cameron Clyne as "longer and slower to recover than experienced in the 1930s following the Great Depression", the bank has decided to cut 1, 400 UK jobs, pull out of commercial property lending here and concentrate on retail and small business banking.

BBC: Clydesdale shrinks, blaming downturn

"I'm just going to concentrate on finishing the season strongly here and make a decision on my future in the summer, " said Smith.

BBC: Defender Stevie Smith expects to leave Rangers

It is here that much of the economic growth of the Research Triangle has taken place, as companies concentrate in predominately suburban communities such as Cary.

FORBES: The Protean Future Of American Cities