How the Four Biggest US Banks Generate Income and Revenue

October 2008: The global financial crisis led major banks to make acquisitions in an effort to shore up deposits and stave off systemic collapse. Wells Fargo aquired Wachovia; Bank of America acquired Merrill Lynch and Countrywide; J.P. Morgan acquired Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual. In addition, some floundering banks were sold off in pieces post-crash, creating a hodgepodge of disintegrated banking structures.