The argument goes that politics, at least in this country, depends less on individual - glib or lofty, depending on your taste - Western-style television performances and more on structures, local branches and a collective spirit.

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As long as the deposit ceiling remains in place, BofA's expansion strategy hangs on making its existing branches more productive.

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"Nevertheless, we have to make decisions to close branches in order to put the network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers, " he added.

BBC: Post Office sign

Hanoi headquartered Baoviet had more than 5, 200 employees, 30, 000-plus consultants and more than 130 branches, according to a fact sheet dated March 2011 posted on its web site.

MSN: HSBC puts Vietnam insurance business up for sale: sources

As consumers do more banking online and on their mobile phones, it is becoming less important to maintain bank branches on every street corner.

ECONOMIST: Winners and losers

It continues to open new branches (it opened 83 offices in the first quarter) and is spending 17% more on advertising than last year.

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