(1) In 2007 , the merger of BPVN and BPI made Banco Popolare had 143 branches in the island , which was increased to 145 in the next year .
(2) In 2007 , the merger of BPVN and Banco Popolare made BPI had 143 branches on the island , which was increased next year to 145 .

Do these two sentences mean the same thing?

Choose from:
(a). no
(b). yes
(a).