Neither bank operates many branches on the other side of the border, so rationalisation of the branch network should be limited.

ECONOMIST: Bank mergers

Moreover, many of the middle managers and branch staff from the Hypo-Bank side feel like losers now that their old bosses have been ousted.

ECONOMIST: German banks

Beyond fear and treating the event as a competition, networking nights often leave those attending in the same comfort zone they arrived in: see a person you know, spend the majority of the night by their side, and meet a few new people but not nearly as many as you hoped had you decided to branch off early and look solo.

FORBES: 7 Everyday Places To Start Networking Face-To-Face At