Opinion ID: 109098
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Elimination of WTB's Potential for Growth.

Text: In the final step of its argument, the Government challenges the merger on the ground that it will eliminate the prospect that WTB may expand outside its base in Spokane and eventually develop into a direct competitor with large Washington banks in other areas of the State. The District Court found, however, that the Government had failed to establish . . . that there is any reasonable probability that WTB will expand into other banking markets . . . . 1973-1 Trade Cas. ถ 74,496, p. 94,246. The record amply supports this finding. At no time in its 70-year history has WTB established branches outside the Spokane metropolitan area. Nor has it ever acquired another bank [47] or received a merger offer other than the one at issue here. [48] In sum, the Government's argument about the elimination of WTB's potential for expansion outside Spokane is little more than speculation. It provides no sound basis for overturning the District Court's holding.